In 1976, Carter was the little-known former governor of Georgia, and he ran as a centrist who would put the country on a bipartisan course.

If the Republican presidential candidate picks the little-known governor of Alaska as a running mate on a Friday, you need to do something.

Sarah Palin, the darling of the movement, versus a relatively little-known governor who has professed his intention not to run in 2012.

Four years later, he helped turn the caucuses into an important test of a candidate's strength by being one of the first reporters to spot the potential appeal of a little-known former governor of Georgia named Jimmy Carter.

Dr. Dean, who was the first candidate to enter the race, as a little-known governor of a small state, assembled his team of endorsers through a relentless courtship that in some cases stretches back years.

In recent days lawmakers have been buzzing as they try to figure out the surge of another little-known governor, Howard Dean of Vermont.

Christine Sohl, who arrived early to get a seat about 20 rows back, recalled meeting a little-known governor named Bill Clinton in a group of no more than 20 people.

Against this backdrop, Néstor Kirchner, a little-known Peronist governor from the sparsely populated Patagonian province of Santa Cruz, will be sworn in as president on Sunday.

Exactly 28 years ago Monday, a little-known former governor of Georgia named Jimmy Carter polled just shy of 30 percent support in Iowa's precinct caucuses.

Yet Mr. Dean, 54, hopes he can mimic the maverick victory of another little-known governor, Jimmy Carter.