When Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour told us this week that the 2012 GOP presidential field will be "wide open," we had no idea just how many Republicans might be marching to Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Nevada for the opening caucuses and primaries. Including Barbour, who will decide after the fall midterm elections but who is expected to run in 2012, Washington political insiders tell us that nine Republicans are almost a lock to run and another eight are considering a presidential bid.
Many former presidential campaign organizers say that now is the time to be considering a bid because by spring of next year, the list of announced candidates will be firm and those in will be divvying up staff and raising money.
The top tier of candidates includes many in the news like Sarah Palin and Mitt Romney, but some newbies have scratched their way into the category like budget-slashing New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich. Long shots include some who've already made trips to Iowa, like former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum.
"A starting place. That's all anybody has," said Barbour, dismissing talk of front-runners this far out of the election.
Here's the latest list of those who want President Obama's job.
The A-Team Nine
- Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, the front-runner, largely because he was the runner-up to Sen. John McCain in 2008.
- Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, who has recently made a name for herself by endorsing winning Tea Party candidates.
- Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, a social conservative in his second term.
- Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, a fiscal conservative in his second term.
- Mike Huckabee, a Fox host and former 2008 presidential candidate.
- Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.
- South Dakota Sen. John Thune, a conservative and darling of the party for defeating former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle in 2004.
- New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, whose budget cutting in his first year has impressed many in GOP ranks who want him to apply his touch to Washington.
- Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, already running and showing his conservative side.
The Eight Long Shots
- Indiana Rep. Mike Pence, a hero to fiscal conservatives.
- South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint, a Palinesque conservative who's helped steer the U.S. Senate to the right.
- Texas Rep. Ron Paul, the gadfly 2008 candidate who kept a very loyal following.
- South Carolina Republican gubernatorial candidate Nikki Haley, who hasn't even won yet but is being heralded as the new Sarah Palin.
- Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush who has rejected a run but who still gets kudos for being the "smart Bush" for his successful two terms in Florida.
- Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, who'd be the social conservative in the race.
- Former United Nations Ambassador John Bolton, a foreign policy hawk who conservatives adore.
- Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal whose effort to protect his shores from the Gulf Oil Spill won him notoriety lost when he gave a lackluster national political address in 2009.
20 comments:
Not to get off topic, but the picture of Gov. Haley Barbour trips me out! I can't tell if he is squinting, and has bags under his eyes, or if his eyes are closed and he has REALLY bushy eyebrows. It's like an optical illusion.
This is a good example of how early these campaigns occur since it's barely 2010 yet the candidates will run for election in 2012. It's good that they are getting thier names out there as soon as possible so that they are the first to come to mind later when the voters are in the booths.
It's definitely interesting that there are so many candidates from the GOP gearing up to run. I think that the for runners will be pretty much as listed. Romney and Palin at the top, and maybe Paul thrown in there too. Can't wait to see who becomes the republican candidate...in two years.
I can hear all of these precandidates now, "I know you dont know me yet, but go ahead and give me your money!"
OK so the A-team nine are all credited not by their actual works but by their previous campaigning status. Right.
Then there is the lacking other eight. "Hasn't won yet but..." "gets kudos for being the smart Bush" "A hero"... OK what exactly qualifies this person as a hero? I surely haven't seen him flying around saving kittens from trees. Can we not win votes through accomplishments rather than emotional attachment?
This isn't too surprising. I mean, the last person to represent the Republicans in the big house was W., and most everyone left with a sick feeling after that experience. GOP candidates should be chomping at the bit to give their party a new face. My bet is on Romney, Palin, and Huckabee to be the final three. Mainly because of past and present campaigning.
Looks like everyone is going to have a lot of competition. Right now its anyone's game. All 17 of these men hold good positions in government. With this many people will come a lot of confusion. It'll be interesting to see what happens.
The Republican party has a really exciting race ahead of them. Based on the hype and excitement of the 2008 election, they have some pretty big shoes to fill. Though I don't consider myself particularly conservative, it would still be nice to see a really great candidate on both sides so both candidates will step up their games.
Being neither a republican or a democrat I really don't care who gets to run but shouldn't there be more dems running or have they withdrawn completly and accepted defeat to let the republicans run the election process? And it's good that all these people ar putting in thier names waaaayyy early In the race so that by 2012 we can see who the really reliable and consistent ones are because I am positive that by 2012 we are only gonna have about 2 or 3 of those still remaining on the race
It's amazing how many Republican Candidates are already rumored to be getting ready to run and we haven't heard much of anything from the Democrats' side. If they are wanting another Dem. in office, and they no doubt do, then they should be getting their names out there for the public to consider as well.
Its gonnna be a close one. The door is wide open and it's anyones ball game. I'm gonna put my money on Huckabee and Romney. I just plain don't like Palin. I will keep a eye on what probably is gonna be a close finish.
With 17 different people as possible GOP candidates this is a great example of how hard republicans are trying to get Obama out of the white house. People are even starting to declare front runners and it is just now 2010! I think that the republicans are trying to hard to find a perfect candidate that won't be beaten, instead of finding a candidate who is perfect for the job of President of the United States
I'm really surprised to see the amount of people that are running, that's so wonderful, although i feel a bit bad for those who aren't really expected to be any good, those other eight mentioned. I guess whoever is most popular through campaigns and such have the better end of the deal. Palin and Huckabee will have good chances, then, i'm assuming. Oh well, i'm interested to see how it will turn out, though.
I think when it all comes down to it the Republicans will run out and elect just about any one of these people, not necessarily because of their current position in government, and not because of their track records (despite being good) but because of the fact that their last representative left America with a sour taste in it's mouth. Secondly, even though the Palin hype of the last election has died down, once we see her up in her red jacket and glasses, all of those supporters will come out of hiding and chant her name once aagin
The philosophical differences among these candidates shows the likelihood of a splintering of the conservative/Republican vote. This gives the Democrats a realistic chance to retain the White House in 2012.
Wow, so its surprising so many are running to become candidates for the elections in 2012. It's a good thing so many have started to get their names out there already. But who will be in top?
I'm almost positive that Palin and Romney will for sure be at the top, but who knows "change" is in the air and one of those long shots just might have what it takes to make it to the top. I guess we will have to wait and see.
To be quite honest, I don't believe Obama OR McCain were decent candidates for the job. McCain was too old, closed-minded, and Obama is too young and inexperienced. Let's hope Republicans choose a good candidate out of the *sigh* SEVENTEEN possible presidential runners.
Glad to see that all of these people are getting thier name out there in the media. It's good for the people to have variety in their choosing of the GOP. Looks like Sarah Palin is still trying to leave her mark, and maybe even be the first girl GOP. Wonder how that would all turn out. Can't wait till the 2012 elections!
It is pretty crazy how many republicans are going to be running...actually, I'm not aware of the average number of republicans that run. It'll be interesting to see if any of the long shots actually make a good run here in two years.
It is pretty crazy how many republicans are going to be running...actually, I'm not aware of the average number of republicans that run. It'll be interesting to see if any of the long shots actually make a good run here in two years.
I believe that the ones more likely to get the largest chance to be locked in for the GOP in 2012 will be the long shots. I personally would want to put them in just to see more of what they have to offer for future elections. And honestly, no one really wants Sarah Palin to to become the President. Though I do have to say that I personally favor New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie because of the fact that we are in a recession, and if he can make budget cuts and save us money, I'm all for it. I want to see someone who knows what they are doing, not someone who is just famous like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Mike Huckabee.
I believe that the ones more likely to get the largest chance to be locked in for the GOP in 2012 will be the long shots. I personally would want to put them in just to see more of what they have to offer for future elections. And honestly, no one really wants Sarah Palin to to become the President. Though I do have to say that I personally favor New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie because of the fact that we are in a recession, and if he can make budget cuts and save us money, I'm all for it. I want to see someone who knows what they are doing, not someone who is just famous like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Mike Huckabee.
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