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<small>''This article is about the '''U.S. Presidential Election 2012'''. See [[Presidential Election 2012 (disambiguation)]]'' for other presidential elections.</small>

<small>''This article is about the '''U.S. Presidential Election 2012'''. See [[Presidential Election 2012 (disambiguation)]]'' for other presidential elections.</small>

'''''The next presidential debate is on October 11, 2011, in [[New Hampshire]]'''''.

'''''The next presidential debate is on October 18, 2011, in [[Las Vegas]]'''''.

The '''Presidential Election 2012''' is on Tuesday, November 6, 2012.  [[Obama]], with his [[Barack Obama approval ratings|declining popularity]], is unlikely to win reelection unless he can carry [[Florida]], which he only narrowly won last time.

The '''Presidential Election 2012''' is on Tuesday, November 6, 2012.  [[Obama]], with his [[Barack Obama approval ratings|declining popularity]], is unlikely to win reelection unless he can carry [[Florida]], which he only narrowly won last time.

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|[[Mitt Romney]]

|[[Mitt Romney]]

|First runner-up in 2008, business experience, Republican governor of a Democratic state, cut taxes and the deficit, prodigious fundraiser and tireless campaigner, polling at 40% in the key early primary state of [[New Hampshire]], credited for helping [[Scott Brown]] win an upset victory for the seat long held by [[Ted Kennedy]].  Likely to be endorsed by [[Chris Christie]], [[Marsha Blackburn]], [[Jim Talent]].  Only 26% of voters said they would '''''never''''' vote for him, which is the lowest negative of any major Republican candidate.<ref name="Quinnipiac">http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x1295.xml?ReleaseID=1595</ref> Out with a new jobs plan. Received endorsement from Chris Christie.<ref>[http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Chris-Christie-Mitt-Romney-Endorse-GOP-Republicans-2012-131530343.html http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Chris-Christie-Mitt-Romney-Endorse-GOP-Republicans-2012-131530343.html]</ref>

|First runner-up in 2008, business experience, Republican governor of a Democratic state, cut taxes and the deficit, prodigious fundraiser and tireless campaigner, polling at 40% in the key early primary state of [[New Hampshire]], credited for helping [[Scott Brown]] win an upset victory for the seat long held by [[Ted Kennedy]].  Likely to be endorsed by [[Marsha Blackburn]], [[Jim Talent]], etc.  Only 26% of voters said they would '''''never''''' vote for him, which is the lowest negative of any major Republican candidate.<ref name="Quinnipiac">http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x1295.xml?ReleaseID=1595</ref> Has come out with a new jobs plan. Received endorsement from Chris Christie.<ref>[http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Chris-Christie-Mitt-Romney-Endorse-GOP-Republicans-2012-131530343.html http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Chris-Christie-Mitt-Romney-Endorse-GOP-Republicans-2012-131530343.html]</ref>

|Refuses to sign the same [[pro-life]] pledge that all other major [[Republican]] candidates signed;<ref>http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0611/57256.html</ref> continues to believe in [[liberal]] propaganda claiming [[global warming]]; Romney once supported [[abortion]] and [[civil unions]], is criticized by the [[Tea Party Express]] chairwoman and others due to his [[ObamaCare]]-like health plan in [[Massachusetts]], which featured "the mandate" and taxpayer-funded abortion; struggles in Iowa and won only 15% in the South Carolina primary in 2008.  The lack of criticism of Romney by the [[lamestream media]] suggests that they want him to win so that they can defeat him in the general election.

|Refuses to sign the same [[pro-life]] pledge that all other major [[Republican]] candidates signed;<ref>http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0611/57256.html</ref> continues to believe in [[liberal]] propaganda claiming [[global warming]]; Romney once supported [[abortion]] and [[civil unions]], is criticized by the [[Tea Party Express]] chairwoman and others due to his [[ObamaCare]]-like health plan in [[Massachusetts]], which featured "the mandate" and taxpayer-funded abortion; struggles in Iowa and won only 15% in the South Carolina primary in 2008.  The lack of criticism of Romney by the [[lamestream media]] suggests that they want him to win so that they can defeat him in the general election.

|He has lost ground despite winning most of the debates so far, finished only 5th in the straw poll at the Republican Leadership Conference, and received only 4% in the [[Values Voter Summit]] [[straw poll]] in October 2011.

|He has lost ground despite winning most of the debates so far, finished only 5th in the straw poll at the Republican Leadership Conference, and received only 4% in the [[Values Voter Summit]] [[straw poll]] in October 2011.

|It can be argued is more conservative in his rhetoric than his policies; endorsed [[RINO]] [[Rudy Giuliani]] in 2008; tried by executive order to force all schoolgirls (except for parental opt-outs) to receive the [[HPV vaccine]]; raised business taxes while governor; supports exceptions for allowing [[abortion]]; and continues to champion a Texas policy that allows in-state tuition for illegal immigrants.  ''Could simply block [[Mitt Romney]] from winning the nomination, without winning it himself''.

|It can be argued is more conservative in his rhetoric than his policies; endorsed [[RINO]] [[Rudy Giuliani]] in 2008; tried by executive order to force all schoolgirls (except for parental opt-outs) to receive the [[HPV vaccine]]; raised business taxes while governor; supports exceptions for allowing [[abortion]]; and continues to champion a Texas policy that allows in-state tuition for illegal immigrants.  ''Could simply block [[Mitt Romney]] from winning the nomination, without winning it himself''.

|Stumbled in his first major statements on [[abortion]] and [[same-sex marriage]], and then lost support by declaring that he is opposed to building a fence to reduce illegal immigration. May be focusing on a southern strategy that is unlikely to give him the delegates needed to win. Was ahead in national polls after his declaration of candidacy, then fell behind Romney.

|Stumbled in his first major statements on [[abortion]] and [[same-sex marriage]], and then lost support by declaring that he is opposed to building a fence to reduce illegal immigration. May be focusing on a southern strategy that is unlikely to give him the delegates needed to win. Was ahead in national polls after his declaration of candidacy, then fell behind Romney.

Did well in the first debate that he participated in, but seemed awkward or uncomfortable during his second and especially his third debates, causing second thoughts about his electability. Did poorly in the Values Voter Summit [[straw poll]].

Did well in the first debate that he participated in, but has seemed tired or unprepared during a string of later debates, raising doubts about his electablility. Did poorly in the Values Voter Summit [[straw poll]].

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|[[Michele Bachmann]]

|[[Michele Bachmann]]

|[[Chris Christie]]

|[[Chris Christie]]

|Led [[Barack Obama]] in Zogby's polling as of January 2011 and again in October; takes on the [[public school]] teachers' unions and is a fiscal reformer who puts liberals in their place; is liked for his budget cuts, particularly to [[Planned Parenthood]]; has an unscripted style and appearance that is a refreshing alternative to the Teleprompter President. Widely discussed as a potential center-right candidate to overtake the Republican primary field with no clear frontrunners. <ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/why-christie-should-run-for-president/2011/09/24/gIQAE3B2yK_story.html Why Christie Should Run For President] Washington Post, retrieved Sept. 26th 2006.</ref> Well liked in his home state, unlike Sarah Palin.

|Led [[Barack Obama]] in Zogby's polling as of January 2011 and again in October; takes on the [[public school]] teachers' unions and is a fiscal reformer who puts liberals in their place; is liked for his budget cuts, particularly to [[Planned Parenthood]]; has an unscripted style and appearance that is a refreshing alternative to the Teleprompter President. Widely discussed as a potential center-right candidate to overtake the Republican primary field with no clear frontrunners. <ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/why-christie-should-run-for-president/2011/09/24/gIQAE3B2yK_story.html Why Christie Should Run For President] Washington Post, retrieved Sept. 26th 2006.</ref> Well liked in his home state, unlike Sarah Palin.

|Significantly overweight, Picked a [[pro-abortion]] running mate when he ran for governor, and has little experience with national issues; repeatedly says he is not running; campaigned for [[RINO]] [[Mike Castle]] in [[Delaware]] who was then defeated; neither added [[New Jersey]] to one of the lawsuits against [[ObamaCare]] nor joined an [[amicus brief]] against it; ''will probably support [[Mitt Romney]]''.

|Significantly overweight, Picked a [[pro-abortion]] running mate when he ran for governor, and has little experience with national issues; repeatedly says he is not running; campaigned for [[RINO]] [[Mike Castle]] in [[Delaware]] who was then defeated; neither added [[New Jersey]] to one of the lawsuits against [[ObamaCare]] nor joined an [[amicus brief]] against it. As had been long predicted here, Christie ''has endorsed [[Mitt Romney]]''.

|Announced, in a press conference called for the purpose on October 4, his presumably final decision to serve out his term as governor of New Jersey rather than seek the presidency in 2012.

|Announced, in a press conference called for the purpose on October 4, his final decision not to seek the presidency in 2012.

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|[[Rick Santorum]]

|[[Rick Santorum]]