U.S. Rep. Richard Gephardt, once dismissed as old news, is increasingly being seen as a sleeper in the contest for the Democratic presidential nomination.

It’s not far-fetched. Take a look at the primary calendar. If the stars line up right for him, he could well be on his way to the party’s nomination by mid-March.

First up is Iowa, where the 62-year-old Missouri congressman has a strong organization. Caucus balloting starts Jan. 19. Polls show Gephardt and former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean locked in a virtual tie. Gephardt needs to win Iowa.

Next comes New Hampshire, which votes in the nation’s first primary Jan 27. Dean enjoys a huge lead over the rest of the field. Gephardt is in sixth place.

Enter South Carolina, site of the first Southern primary Feb. 3. This will be the make-or-break state for most of the nine candidates. Gephardt is in a virtual tie for first place. Nearly half of the vote will be African-American. Gephardt has the endorsement of U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, the state’s dominant black politician, and the backing of the state’s black mayors.

Four days later, the voting moves to Michigan, where Gephardt enjoys long-standing ties to labor. His opposition to free trade agreements has endeared him to industrial union members who blame current trade policies for the export of American jobs abroad.

Gephardt also has a vast political network that includes dozens of contacts in key primary states.

If Gephardt wins Iowa and Dean carries New Hampshire, South Carolina and its more moderate-to-conservative voters will be called upon to settle the race. Gephardt seems best positioned to take advantage of the situation.

Unlike Dean, who appeals to the liberal elitists in the Democratic Party, Gephardt has managed to stake out a more middle-of-the-road course. He has consistently supported the Iraq war, voted for the $87 billion to help rebuild Iraq, and offered a health care plan. He also hails from the Midwest, where many Republicans believe the presidential election will be decided.

Gephardt is a much different candidate from the one who dropped out of the presidential race in 1988 after winning Iowa. He ran out of money. That mistake will not be repeated, he vows.

The 2004 Gephardt is much improved as a candidate. He is more relaxed and actually seems to enjoy campaigning.

Gephardt once could put an audience to sleep within the opening moments of a speech. Today, he is a much more dynamic speaker. He is passionate.

Gephardt also has learned to laugh at himself. His sense of humor helps get him through the day.

He connects with audiences as he tells personal stories about himself and his family. He talks about who he is and where he comes from.

He notes that he has been married to the same woman for 37 years. He speaks about how his son survived cancer. He says they would not have been able to care for him if they had not had health insurance.

He talks about how his mom and dad struggled to save for his college education, relying on church scholarships and government programs.

Audiences love it. They can feel his pain.

Among the nine candidates, Gephardt has the most experience. He knows government and how it works. He has served in the House for 27 years, eight of them as House Democratic leader. He is a seasoned legislator.

It would be a serious mistake to write off Gephardt as a has-been. He is the type of candidate who can sneak up on you and before you know it, move into the lead.