The Washington Post’s Chris Cillizza of The Fix ranks the top 10 potential Republican candidates for President in 2012 as of Today. We’ll just post the juicy details of the top three finishers here; be sure to head over to read Cillizza’s full analysis of all ten contenders at WaPo:10. Jim DeMint:
9. Mike Pence:
8. Mitch Daniels:
7. John Thune:
6. Haley Barbour:
5. Mike Huckabee:
4. Tim Pawlenty:
3. Newt Gingrich: One well-connected Iowa operative was recently detailing the massive amounts of time — and money — that the former House Speaker had spent in the Hawkeye State over the last two years. That got us to thinking about the possibility that we have been underestimating Gingrich in our 2012 calculations. What he has: name identification, the ability to raise money and more policy proposals than Antoine Dodson has You Tube hits. (And you said we couldn’t get an Antoine Dodson reference into the Fix!) What he doesn’t: a demonstrated ability to stay on message day after day in the cauldron of a presidential race. Still, if Gingrich runs, and he sounds like he is going to, he is a major force. (Previous ranking: 6)
2. Sarah Palin: Palin has begun to break out of her Twitter/Facebook cocoon to interact with the mainstream media of late. Basic political analysis would suggest that Palin’s newfound love — ok, that may be too strong a word — for the press means that she is trying to re-shape her public image in advance of a run for president. But, as we have written many times, basic political analysis doesn’t often apply to Palin. it’s just as likely that this media tour is the result of a snap decision made by Palin and her top/only political adviser (aka First Dude Todd Palin). Who knows? What we do know is that Palin is the only person on the Line who could get 10,000 people to show up and see her next weekend in Iowa. And that’s worth something. (Previous ranking: 2)
1. Mitt Romney: Romney’s op-ed in opposition to the tax compromise proved that the former Massachusetts governor is deserving of our top spot. He effectively positioned himself in opposition to not just Obama but also congressional Republicans — a very good place to be given the anti-establishment sentiment among the GOP electorate these days. Romney has, by far, the most advanced political organization of anyone in the field and his ability to self-fund gives him a leg up financially over his potential competitors. Romney’s weaknesses — his difficulty in connecting on the stump, his Mormonism, his flip-flops on social issues — are well known and real. But, Romney seems a more measured and mature candidate than he was in 2008. Whether that resonates with primary and caucus voters remains to be seen. (Previous ranking: 1)
Is this a fair assessment? Let’s hear your thoughts.
you can remove all RINOS-Newt, Romney, Huckabee, Daniels-he sunk his boat the other day with his comment on social conservatives. Pence or DeMint are the only viable candidates that will not split Conservatives & Republicans giving the election to Obama.
Even though Barak Obama jumped directly from the Senate to the White House, that jump is not typical. Prior to 2008, I think John Kennedy was the last president to have made that jump. The jump from the House to the White House hasn’t been done in over a hundred years. While John Thune has the kind of personality that makes that jump seem credible, I’d be surprised if anyone without experience as a governor were nominated. That eliminates Jim DeMint, Mike Pence, and John Thune.
I never saw Haley Barbour as an effective leader of the RNC back in the 90′s. The mood of the country doesn’t seem right for a guy who has a bit of the good ol’ boy personality. He will remind too many people of what they didn’t like about George W. Bush and Sarah Palin. I would drop him further.
Tim Pawlenty seemed weak during the recount that led to Al Franken winning the Minnesota Senate seat. He seems likeable but not necessarily charismatic. He seems to be regarded as more moderate, and moderation may not help him in the primary.
Sarah Palin has taken so many hits from the media that I have a hard time seeing her winning. Republicans may rally around someone else rather than nominate her for what they will see as a certain loss. She may not want to run anyway. Being a “what if” can often be more powerful than being an “also ran.”
Newt Gingrich still seems to be more of a professor than an executive. I agree that he is a “major force,” but he will have a tough road to the nomination.
Mitch Daniels doesn’t seem to have the right stuff for a national campaign. His talking about a truce on social issues to get our economic house in order seems to be wise policy but will not play well with the folks who vote in primaries. On the other hand, a non-nonsense governor may appeal to the people next time.
Mike Huckabee has a following of his own, and he will pick up people who want anyone but Mitt Romney. He should win Iowa again, and he’ll do well in some of the southern primaries. His TV show makes him seem likable but not presidential. Likable might be enough right now. At this point in the race, he’s one of the two most likely to be nominated.
Mitt Romney has the right resume and has done the right things over the past decade. He will be accused of “flip-flops,” but Mike Huckabee’s cap and trade video will mean that both front-runners live in glass houses on that accusation. The Mormon issue will continue to be a problem for some people.
It makes me sick to my stomach when people throw out names like Sarah Palin, Newt Gingrich, and Mike Huckabee and then say No to Mitt Romney. Who has put his time, name, and money where their mouth is. Mitt graciously supported the nominee (sinking ship) in the last presidential election and did all he could to rally the base. He immediately set up a PAC to raise money for candidates all over the country and actually gave them the money and his support. The first time I had ever heard the names Scott Brown, Chris Christie, and Nikki Haley were from Romney’s pac asking for support of which I offered.
Of all of these names floating around, we need to ask ourselves, who is more polished, organized, and ready to go from day one? We can’t rely on people claiming they are with no record of leadership success. America has learned that lesson and will be feeling the ramifications of it for years to come from Obama.
After meeting him in person, I believe that he is the man of the moment with the skills to clean up the mess that we, the American people find ourselves in at this point in history.
Just read his book, NO APOLOGY, THE CASE FOR AMERICAN GREATNESS, to see what kind of a person Mitt Romney is! OK I know we don’t have extra time to read books any more. We spend more time on the computer listening to others criticize and comment, then watch newspaper columnists and television personalities give their “whatever-causes-controversy-increases-audience” opinions…but a book? Hey, first read the book! Then allow yourself to make an honest evaluation of Romney. What he puts on paper, between the covers, for the record, to me is the substance of the man. I like what I read!
I was impressed with his book about the Olympics. I’ll read No Apology next year sometime.
Someone in 2010 America seriously considers religious beliefs a “weakness”?
If this idiot writer thinks Romney has “flip-flops”, I’d love to know what he thinks about Obama. Gitmo is still open buddy.
Love him, support him, follow him as long as needed
Anyone except Palin or Obama….Obama = Palin- No Business
Experience..Romney 2012