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The '''2012 United States Presidential Election''' when America is scheduled to pick a new president will take place on Tuesday, November 6, 2012; candidates are expected to file formal papers indicating their interest in early 2011, and many have been quietly lining up support throughout 2010.   

The '''United States Presidential Election, 2012''' is on Tuesday, November 6, when America picks a new president. Candidates are expected to file formal papers indicating their interest in early 2011; many have been quietly lining up support throughout 2010.   

Well-funded candidates are increasingly using "[[stalking horse]]" candidates to try to prevent their opponent from gaining a majority, as McCain backers used [[Fred Thompson]] in 2008 to prevent [[Mitt Romney]] from winning while McCain was stumbling.  Thompson obtain endorsements from national pro-life groups as well as heavy promotion on the [[Fox News Channel]], despite himself virtually admitting that he would not become president.  Thompson withdrew after serving as a blocker to keep pro-lifers and other conservatives from supporting other candidates, and then Thompson immediately endorsed McCain.

Well-funded candidates increasingly use other "[[stalking horse]]" candidates to try to prevent their opponent from gaining a majority, as McCain backers used [[Fred Thompson]] in 2008 to prevent [[Mitt Romney]] from winning while McCain stumbled.  Thompson obtained undeserved endorsements from national pro-life groups as well as heavy promotion on the [[Fox News Channel]], despite virtually admitting that he would not become president.  Thompson withdrew after serving his purpose of attracting pro-lifers and other conservatives away from rivals of McCain, and then Thompson immediately endorsed McCain.

The key early primaries are Iowa (caucuses), New Hampshire, Michigan, South Carolina and Nevada.

The key early primaries are Iowa (caucuses), New Hampshire, Michigan, South Carolina and Nevada.