List of Possible Republican Challengers in 2012

Who is the Best Bet for the Republicans to take back the White House in 2012?

2012 will be here before we know it. At times, the older generation of Republicans — including former vice president Richard B. Cheney, conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh and one or another of the party’s congressional leaders — have dominated as the spokesman for party lines. But many Republicans see it as essential that a different group begins to emerge to help redefine the GOP, and that has raised speculation about potential Obama challengers in 2012.

Sarah Palin

Polls show that Palin’s favorability numbers are a mirror image of those of Obama. She is respected and loved by the Republican base, while Democrats despise her. Granted, independent voters have significant reservations about her capability to be president, and this would be a hurdle in the general election. But to win the Republican nomination, Palin needs only to get enough support from the base to win early key states.

Palin, who was the VP candidate alongside John McCain, has acheived cult like support, as evidenced by the crowds that have shown up for her book signings the last month or so…..

Mitt Romney

Following the election, Romney paved the way for a possible 2012 presidential campaign by keeping much of his PAC’s money to pay for salaries and consulting fees for his existing political staff. He also had a network of former staff and supporters around the nation who were eager for him to run again

Tim Pawlenty

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty announced that he will not seek reelection next year, voluntarily leaving after his second term. Pawlenty was runner-up to Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin in Sen. John McCain‘s 2008 vice presidential sweepstakes, and his move was interpreted as a step toward a possible 2012 presidential run, freed from the responsibilities of managing a state while campaigning full time for more than two years.

Haley Barbour

Mississippi Governer Haley Barbour

A third Republican governor, Mississippi’s Haley Barbour, has scheduled appearances in New Hampshire and Iowa for later this month. Barbour, a former party chairman, will help raise money for Republicans on his forays to the two states at the front of the presidential nomination calendar. But as one of the canniest politicians in the Republican Party, Barbour knows that landing in either of those states, let alone both, will stoke speculation about his interest in 2012 as well.

Newt Gingrich

And when former House speaker Newt Gingrich (Ga.) tried yesterday to roll back his shortcomings and scandals, which were taken as a sign of his desire to shed baggage should he decide to seek the nomination.

Presidential activity is as much illusory as real at this point, as much an opportunity to feed blog speculation and cable conversation as a sign of actual preparations for a presidential campaign. But at a time when the Republican Party is on its back, out of power in Congress and shut out of the White House, the search for prominent and popular leaders is underway and no better vehicle exists than the long process of selecting the party’s next presidential nominee.

The list is elastic and likely to change in coming months. Others who are considered possible candidates include South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and Sen. John Thune of South Dakota. Florida Gov. Charlie Crist is another possible candidate, though his decision to run for the Senate in 2010 would make a presidential bid in 2012 more difficult.

This entry was posted on Saturday, November 28th, 2009 at 7:03 am and is filed under republicans. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.