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Wednesday, February 23, 2011

The 2012 race of GOP hopefuls

The playing field of possible GOP candidates has been dwindling down quickly. Either they announced that they aren’t running, or they’ve had irreparable incidents that have disqualified them. Two years ago, I would have said that then-SC Governor Mark Sanford had it in the bag. I’m not exaggerating when I say he was the darling of the GOP next to Palin. Now, not so much. Here’s a list of the potential candidates I’ve made so far:

Potential candidates who are out
Former SC Governor Mark Sanford: embarrassing behavior surrounding an extra-marital affair disqualified him
Current LA Governor Bobby Jindal: said he will not run, had awkward State of the Union response, questionable fiscal record
IN Rep. Mike Pence: formally announced he will not run for POTUS but has his eye on IN Governor
SD Sen. John Thune: formally announced he will not run for POTUS

Potential candidates who appear to be running, but have slim-to-no-chance
Former MA Governor Mitt Romney – Romneycare
Current IN Governor Mitch Daniels – his “truce” on social issues, sided with Democrats on “Right to Work” bill
Businessman Donald Trump – no political executive experience
Businessman Herman Cain – lacks name recognition, no political executive experience

Potential candidates who appear to be running and have a chance (besides Palin)
Former MN Governor Tim Pawlenty
Current MS Governor Haley Barbour
Former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. John Bolton

Current NJ Governor Chris Christie is in a unique position where he has flat out said he will not run several times, but conservatives everywhere are begging for him to. Ann Coulter even said that we'll lose the general if he specifically is not the nominee.

Are there any others you think should be in the list or any mistakes I made? KY Sen. Mitch McConnell? AZ Sen. Jon Kyl? Current TX Governor Rick Perry?

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