| The brief synopsis of the potential Republican | | | | Gov. Rick Perry (of Texas): He has done an |
| nominees for President in 2012 - (from my | | | | amazing job in Texas, quietly building up a |
| humble opinion): | | | | following and by and large he has some sound |
| Gov. Tim Pawlenty(Minnesota): Unknown. And it | | | | political instincts. |
| seems the Republican brand is trying to throw off | | | | Rep. Paul Ryan (Wisconsin): Smart, young, |
| the mantle of "old, white guys." Not that he's old, | | | | intellectual. He's a surprisingly good speaker and |
| but.. well. | | | | very articulate. Wins handily in left leaning districts, |
| Former Gov. Palin (Alaska): Not enough | | | | despite being a strong conservative - as in, with |
| experience. We've seen full well where that gets | | | | over 63% of the vote in his last five elections. |
| us. I love her, but she's just not viable for 2012. | | | | Also a member of what I call, "the future of the |
| She got lots of unsolicited advice after she quit | | | | Republican Party." |
| her past as governor, little of which she's taken. | | | | Rep. Mike Pence (Indiana): Unknown nationally, but |
| She needs more time in office before she'll be | | | | another sound conservative with good ideas. |
| accepted as a presidential contender. | | | | Former Gov. Mike Huckabee (Arkansas): Ugh. I |
| Former Gov. Romney (Massachusetts): Love the | | | | mean, he delivers a good line, but he's a populist, |
| guy, he's been a very loyal Republican and he's as | | | | and he's an extreme social conservative and |
| sharp as a tack. More importantly, he's got the | | | | somewhat liberal with the purse strings, so to |
| business bona fides. However, he will forever be | | | | speak. |
| known as a flip-flopper. | | | | Rep. Eric Cantor (Virginia): Rather the opposite of |
| Gov. Jindal(Louisiana): Hasn't shown much interest | | | | Huckabee, Rep. Cantor is the only Republican |
| (yet). I think he'd have a very good shot, but he'd | | | | Jewish member of Congress and he's the minority |
| have to explain those odd stories about demon | | | | whip as well. Sharp, intelligent, young and with a |
| possession rituals. (!!??) | | | | great accent to boot! He wants the party to |
| Gov. Haley Barbour (Mississippi): Smart enough to | | | | focus in conservative financial issues and worry |
| know he doesn't have a shot. | | | | less about the social conservative issues. The last |
| Former State House Speaker Marco Rubio | | | | listed member of "the future of the Republican |
| (Florida): First has to win as a senator. Then, he | | | | Party." |
| needs to run after at least one full-term. | | | | Gen. David Petreaus: Rather a dark horse |
| Conveniently, that'd give him time to run in 2020. | | | | candidate, since he's never publicly stated a desire |
| Maybe a stint as governor after being a senator. | | | | for political office, and he hasn't stated what any |
| He and Ryan are (currently) the future of the | | | | of his views are - and he'd have to articulate |
| Republican Party. | | | | those first. |
| Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich | | | | Given the above mentioned candidates, there's a |
| (Georgia): He screwed up back in 1999 when he | | | | distinct lack of women in the list, and there's |
| had that affair. However, I don't think anyone can | | | | certainly potential to add some. However, a lot of |
| out-debate him, and he's got plenty of time (and | | | | women are just getting into office now, and it's |
| apparently the inclination) to start moving around | | | | much more likely to see a female Republican |
| the country in the right circles to say some very | | | | nominated in 2016, after the likes of Nikki Haley, |
| good things. And he has. His one "ding" against him | | | | Jan Brewer and Michele Bachman have been in |
| with the conservative base is his ideas on climate | | | | office longer. |
| change. | | | | |