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| | |Voted twice to repeal [[DADT]], which the vast majority of Republican primary voters support; opposed Bachmann for a leadership position; his age (76 in 2012) will be used against him; has never won statewide office; his views on the war on drugs and the military also alienates many Republicans. | | |Voted twice to repeal [[DADT]], which the vast majority of Republican primary voters support; opposed Bachmann for a leadership position; his age (76 in 2012) will be used against him; has never won statewide office; his views on the war on drugs and the military also alienates many Republicans. |
| | |Improving as Obama's support is lowest when Paul is his opponent; Paul is gaining ground as economy crumbles. Was the clear crowd favorite in the [[Iowa]] debate on Aug. 10. 1% behind Michele Bachmann in the Ames straw poll, together with her they consisted of more than half the votes. | | |Improving as Obama's support is lowest when Paul is his opponent; Paul is gaining ground as economy crumbles. Was the clear crowd favorite in the [[Iowa]] debate on Aug. 10. 1% behind Michele Bachmann in the Ames straw poll, together with her they consisted of more than half the votes. |
| | + | |- |
| | + | |[[Jeb Bush]] |
| | + | |The declining economy means the opportunity for Jeb to win is now, not in 2016 when another Republican would be the incumbent; Jeb is sure to win Florida and Obama cannot win reelection if the Republican wins Florida; [[George W. Bush]]'s book sold far better than expectations, making the name an asset again; Jeb could unite the Republican Party with a late candidacy; Jeb is more conservative than his brother [[George W. Bush]]; Jeb has already criticized Palin as a rival candidate might;<ref>In a Newsmax interview in February 2010, Jeb criticized Palin by saying, "my belief is in 2010 and 2012, public leaders need to have intellectual curiosity." [http://www.newser.com/story/81720/jeb-bush-sarah-palin-not-intellectual-enough.html]</ref> Jeb published an editorial on Jan. 3, 2011 taking credit for saving Florida [[public schools]] with vouchers.<ref>http://www.politifact.com/florida/statements/2011/jan/03/jeb-bush/jeb-bush-touts-education-gains-wall-street-journal/</ref> |
| | + | |Has polled unusually poorly (54-34%) against [[Barack Obama]];<ref>http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/02/14/obama-would-beat-jeb-bush-big-says-poll/</ref> Jeb says he does not intend to run in 2012, when he could still be tagged with negatives via George; not liked by many Tea Partiers; might wait to run when Hillary runs. |
| | + | |With unemployment high (9.1% in August 2011), it is more likely a Republican will win in 2012, and Jeb will not want to pass up that opportunity and then wait until 2020, when he's old |
| | |- | | |- |
| | |[[Herman Cain]] | | |[[Herman Cain]] |
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| | |Could face the liberal [[double standard]] on two fronts: 1) what's OK for Obama (e.g., inexperience) is somehow not OK for a [[conservative]]. 2) Liberals who have been deriding the strict definition of "natural born citizen" which some conservatives have been applying to Obama might also turn around and use the same logic with Rubio, claiming that his non-citizen parents invalidate his natural-born status. <br />Some Republican voters may think he's really running to be selected as Vice President. | | |Could face the liberal [[double standard]] on two fronts: 1) what's OK for Obama (e.g., inexperience) is somehow not OK for a [[conservative]]. 2) Liberals who have been deriding the strict definition of "natural born citizen" which some conservatives have been applying to Obama might also turn around and use the same logic with Rubio, claiming that his non-citizen parents invalidate his natural-born status. <br />Some Republican voters may think he's really running to be selected as Vice President. |
| | |Probably running for VP | | |Probably running for VP |
| | + | |- |
| | + | |[[Mike Huckabee]] |
| | + | |Pro-life in rhetoric, pro-Second Amendment and pro-Bible; strong in polling, particularly among evangelicals |
| | + | |Announced on May 14th that he's not running; was stuck at 20-30% without any way to gain broader support needed to win; could be a [[stalking horse]] for Newt; also supporter of big government, as governor raised taxes and increased state spending, released man who later killed officers; disliked by [[CPAC]]-types and by [[Club for Growth]]; might decide to sit this one out;<ref>CBS: [http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20044329-503544.html Signs mount that Huckabee won't enter 2012 race]</ref> supported the cave-in by the Republican leadership to continue funding [[Planned Parenthood]] (the nation's largest [[abortion]] provider) as part of the budget deal in April 2011. Has ruled himself out of contention.<ref>http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/2011-05-15-republican-huckabee-president_n.htm</ref> |
| | + | |Losing ground and relevancy |
| | + | |- |
| | + | |[[Donald Trump]] |
| | + | |Tied for number 1 in [[Gallup Poll]];<ref>As of April 22, 2011.</ref> forced Obama's to take seriously voters' concerns over his birth certificate, and is also willing to criticize liberal media; has business savvy and resources as a billionaire; is well-known.<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/10/05/trump-seriously-considering-presidential-bid/?test=latestnews Trump 'Seriously Considering' 2012 Presidential Bid, FOXNews, October 5, 2010]</ref> His unscripted, abrasive and arrogant style may be just what voters want. Not a career politician helps his cause. |
| | + | |Said he's not running.<ref>http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/05/16/trump-declines-run-president/</ref> Criticized for his ego and has never held elected office. Needs to explain his previous support of liberal policies such as socialized medicine,<ref>http://www.slate.com/id/2291263/</ref> and is starting to look one-dimensional. A reliable poll (Quinnipiac) found that 58% of voters said they would '''''never''''' vote for Trump.<ref name="Quinnipiac"/> |
| | + | |Declining in support |
| | |- | | |- |
| | |[[Thad McCotter]] | | |[[Thad McCotter]] |
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| | |New to national politics, not well known and maybe a future presidential candidate beyond 2012. | | |New to national politics, not well known and maybe a future presidential candidate beyond 2012. |
| | |A terrific congressman | | |A terrific congressman |
| | + | |- |
| | + | |[[Jim DeMint]] |
| | + | |Strong support by social conservatives, libertarians,<ref>Jim Demint has the best favorable-unfavorable rating of anyone at CPAC 2010.</ref> Tea Party, and evangelicals; a tenacious advocate willing to criticize Obama |
| | + | |Stated at a conservative conference in July 2010 that he is not running for president, but after [[Mike Pence]] pulled out in Jan. 2011 Jim DeMint is showing interest again, before announcing again in late March that he is not running; as a Southern conservative, he would need to work hard to gain support in Iowa and New Hampshire, the key early primary states<ref>http://politics.theatlantic.com/2010/02/the_2012_dark_horse_is.php</ref> |
| | + | |Definitely not running now |
| | |- | | |- |
| | |[[Ken Cuccinelli]] | | |[[Ken Cuccinelli]] |
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| | |Says he's not running for president. | | |Says he's not running for president. |
| | |Made a good statement on birth certificate issue | | |Made a good statement on birth certificate issue |
| | + | |- |
| | + | |[[Tim Pawlenty]] |
| | + | |Young; popular in his home state of [[Minnesota]] (but never won with more than 50% of the vote); benefits from exodus of the leadership from Newt's campaign on June 9th. |
| | + | |Still not well known outside of Minnesota; signed $893 million in meddlesome fees/taxes including a "health fee" for cigarette smokers (which was ruled unconstitutional), a harvest fee for farmers, a 9-1-1 fee on all telephone lines, a fee for traditional marriage, and large increase in parking fees;<ref>[http://tinyurl.com/3k4p8jf ''Duluth News Tribune'': Fees soar as state taxes hold steady] (2006)</ref> supported the liberal [[cap and trade]]; accepted stimulus funds after arguing against them; lacks a socially conservative base or any appeal that would attract support away from the front-runners; arranged a meeting with a liberal medical society in 2003 in order to cave into the pro-[[abortion]] side by downplaying medical harm caused by abortion,<ref>http://www.lifenews.com/2003/12/30/state-281/</ref> despite hard-fought passage of the Woman's Right to Know Act mandating disclosure; an ex-Catholic and that may not play well with Catholic swing voters. Pawlenty may be a [[stalking horse]] for Romney. |
| | + | |Lost ground after a perception of underachieving in the first debate June 13; then his criticism of Michele Bachmann seemed to backfire with her rebuttal in the second debate. Pawlenty finished third in the Iowa Straw Poll and quickly announced that he was ending his bid for the nomination. |
| | + | |- |
| | + | |[[Mitch Daniels]] |
| | + | |Signed a law that defunds [[Planned Parenthood]], has been an effective [[Rust Belt]] governor and critic of the Obama administration, being promoted heavily by [[neoconservatives]] |
| | + | |Stated in May 2011 that he's not running for president; sided with [[Democrats]] in 2011 in opposing [[right-to-work laws|right-to-work legislation]], unknown nationally, criticized when he tried to downplay significance of social issues, not telegenic, lacks a socially conservative base, and his state budget relies heavily on [[gambling]] revenue |
| | + | |Losing ground since he announced he's not running |
| | |- | | |- |
| | |[[Steve King]] | | |[[Steve King]] |
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| | |Not well known yet; has never won statewide office. | | |Not well known yet; has never won statewide office. |
| | |Likely to endorse Michele Bachmann, and stay in the House | | |Likely to endorse Michele Bachmann, and stay in the House |
| | + | |- |
| | + | |[[Mike Pence]] |
| | + | |Communicates a very strong conservative message: "a Christian, a conservative and a Republican, in that order." Won straw poll held at the [[Values Voter Summit]] in September 2010. On Nov. 3rd, gave up his House leadership position. Has since announced a run for Governor of Indiana in 2012. |
| | + | |Announced on Jan. 27, 2011 that he's not running for president; previously he unsuccessfully proposed a "comprehensive" immigration plan that was widely criticized by conservatives; lacks legislative achievements; not well-known and has never won statewide office; either he or Huckabee could become a stalking horse for Newt Gingrich with respect to evangelical voters in Iowa |
| | + | |Focusing on the Indiana governorship |
| | |- | | |- |
| | |[[Todd Akin]] | | |[[Todd Akin]] |
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| | |Struck out completely as a candidate in 2008; very weak on important social issues; cross-dressing for comedic purposes when it suited him | | |Struck out completely as a candidate in 2008; very weak on important social issues; cross-dressing for comedic purposes when it suited him |
| | |A throwback to an era and issues that matter less now | | |A throwback to an era and issues that matter less now |
| | + | |- |
| | + | |[[Dick Cheney]] |
| | + | |Prominent and consistent opposition to Obama |
| | + | |Of dubious health; has explicitly disavowed interest in running |
| | + | |Not running |
| | |- | | |- |
| | |[[John Bolton]] | | |[[John Bolton]] |
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| | |Rose in ranking based on the victory of his choice as the new [[RNC]] chairman;<ref>http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/jan/14/barbour-defeats-boehner-proxy-battle-control-rnc-s/</ref> has a [[conservative]] record as governor of [[Mississippi]]; was a consummate lobbyist and could raise many tens of millions for a campaign. | | |Rose in ranking based on the victory of his choice as the new [[RNC]] chairman;<ref>http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/jan/14/barbour-defeats-boehner-proxy-battle-control-rnc-s/</ref> has a [[conservative]] record as governor of [[Mississippi]]; was a consummate lobbyist and could raise many tens of millions for a campaign. |
| | |Announced in late April 2011 that he is not running; also, rarely seen at conservative conferences, and a Republican from the [[Deep South]] may have trouble attracting independent voters. | | |Announced in late April 2011 that he is not running; also, rarely seen at conservative conferences, and a Republican from the [[Deep South]] may have trouble attracting independent voters. |
| | + | | |
| | + | |- |
| | + | |[[John Thune]] |
| | + | |Defeated [[Tom Daschle]], relatively conservative voting record for a senator; also taller than Obama, and enjoys broad support |
| | + | |Announced on Feb. 22, 2011 that he's not running; may lack an essential "fire in the belly";<ref>http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/eye-on-2012/assessing-john-thunes-2012-cha.html?referrer=emaillink</ref> voted for TARP financial bailout<ref>http://hoghouseblog.com/2009/09/01/thune-wants-to-end-bailout-he-voted-for/</ref> and McCain-Feingold campaign finance; no-show at some conservative events; hasn't effectively criticized Obama; could simply become a stalking horse candidate for Gingrich |
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| | |Caved in to the [[liberals]] in vetoing legislation requiring a birth certificate to get on the presidential ballot for Arizona in 2012; if Brewer ever was conservative, she seems increasingly less so | | |Caved in to the [[liberals]] in vetoing legislation requiring a birth certificate to get on the presidential ballot for Arizona in 2012; if Brewer ever was conservative, she seems increasingly less so |
| | |Not even conservatives support her after all her vetoes of good bills this year | | |Not even conservatives support her after all her vetoes of good bills this year |
| | + | |- |
| | + | |[[George Pataki]] |
| | + | |Well known former 3-term Gov. of New York. Has a track record of tax cuts |
| | + | |[[RINO]] candidate, [[Pro-abortion]], had health issues in the past |
| | + | |Not running |
| | |- | | |- |
| | |[[Peter King]] | | |[[Peter King]] |
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| | In 1980, Ronald Reagan had the support of 1 and 2. | | In 1980, Ronald Reagan had the support of 1 and 2. |
| | | | |
| − | == The Democratic Candidate == | + | == Potential Democratic Candidates == |
| | | | |
| | McClatchy-Marist survey after the [[2010 Midterm elections]] revealed 46% of Democrats and Democratic leaning independent voters said they don't want President Obama to face a Democratic primary challenge, with 45% saying they do want such a challenge to occur. 40% of Democrats and independents who lean towards the Democrats say they prefer a more conservative challenger, while 39% say they want a challenger who is more liberal. The Marist poll says, | | McClatchy-Marist survey after the [[2010 Midterm elections]] revealed 46% of Democrats and Democratic leaning independent voters said they don't want President Obama to face a Democratic primary challenge, with 45% saying they do want such a challenge to occur. 40% of Democrats and independents who lean towards the Democrats say they prefer a more conservative challenger, while 39% say they want a challenger who is more liberal. The Marist poll says, |
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| | |Heavily promoted on MSNBC. | | |Heavily promoted on MSNBC. |
| | |- | | |- |
| | + | |[[Hillary Clinton]] |
| | + | |Her criticism of Obama's massive deficits hinted at a possible run against him in 2012, and [[Ted Kennedy]] cannot interfere with her nomination this time; moreover, waiting until 2016 is unattractive because she will be 71 then. She has the highest approval ratings of any potential challenger.<ref>[http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/general_politics/january_2010/58_view_hillary_clinton_favorably 58% View Hillary Clinton Favorably], January 19, 2010. Retrieved February 15, 2010.</ref> Tested the waters with Bill backing a challenger to Obama's Colorado Senate candidate (who then lost), and by Hillary saying she won't serve a second term as Obama's Secretary of State. The chances of Hillary running and winning the nomination increase with every decline in Obama's approval ratings. |
| | + | |Her [[feminism]] is not wanted and she'd lose the general election as [[Martha Coakley]] did. |
| | + | |Disfavored on MSNBC. |
| | + | |- |
| | + | |[[Russ Feingold]] |
| | + | |His dedication to [[progressive]] causes rivals that of Obama, Feingold now has the time to run since his defeat in the 2010 midterms.<ref>http://usforruss.com/?p=55</ref> |
| | + | |Considered a maverick and [[reform]]er within the Democratic party. |
| | + | |Disfavored on MSNBC. |
| | + | |- |
| | + | |[[Howard Dean]] |
| | + | |Liberal media personality, politician with physicians license and a former Vermont governor. Opposed [[Obamacare]] in its current form, and declared that government cannot force people to buy health insurance. |
| | + | |Progressive/Socialist/Marxist philosophy combined with numerous public gaffes. Dean ran in the 2004 presidential elections. |
| | + | |Heavily promoted on MSNBC. |
| | + | |- |
| | + | |[[Bernie Sanders]] |
| | + | |Has pledged to "do whatever I can" to thwart compromise and thinks the President's legislative proposals are "an absolute disaster and an insult to the vast majority of the American people." |
| | + | |Genuine out-of-the-closet [[Socialist]], will need to formally register as a Democrat. |
| | + | |Has appeared on MSNBC.<ref>http://www.thestatecolumn.com/blog/2010/12/sen-bernie-sanders-issues-a-challenge-to-president-obama/</ref> |
| | + | |- |
| | + | |[[Ralph Nader]] |
| | + | |An experienced [[community organizer]], Nader has not foreclosed the possibility of a challenge. [http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/132835--nader-i-am-looking-for-someone-to-challenge-obama-in-2012] Accuses Obama of betraying progressive liberals and being "a con man." [http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/12/09/ralph-nader-predicts-obama-will-face-democratic-primary-challeng/] |
| | + | |Could mount Third Party challenge if liberals continue to lose ground in the Democratic party. |
| | + | |Promoted on MSNBC. |
| | + | |- |
| | + | |[[Evan Bayh]] |
| | + | |Democratic base sees Bayh's retirement from the Senate as "a symbol of what's wrong with the party" as moderates are increasingly marginalized. <ref>[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/15/evan-bayh-for-president-s_n_463202.html?view=screen Evan Bayh For President? Senator May Be Eyeing White House Run,] Ryan Grim, ''Huffington Post'', 02-15-10.</ref> |
| | + | |Lags behind Obama in fundraising. [http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.php?cid=N00003762&cycle=2010] |
| | + | |Has appeared on MSNBC. |
| | + | |- |
| | + | |[[Dennis Kucinich]] |
| | + | |Outspoken critic of Obama's escalation of the War in Afghanistan, sellout of the public option and tax cuts for the rich. |
| | + | |Perennial favorite of special interests, particularly [[AFSCME]], lacks popular support and a wider appeal. |
| | + | |Promoted on MSNBC. |
| | + | |- |
| | + | |[[Alan Grayson]] |
| | + | |Could do well to rally the progressive base in the anti-war early primary and caucus states of Iowa and New Hampshire.<ref>[http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/12/28/an-anti-war-challenge-to-obama-in-2012-the-case-for-alan-grayso/ "An Anti-War Challenge to Obama in 2012: The Case for Alan Grayson"], ''Politics Daily'', 12-28-2010.</ref> |
| | + | |Ethical concerns over his 2010 failed reelection bid for the House. |
| | + | |Heavily favored on MSNBC. |
| | + | |- |
| | + | |[[Mike Gravel]] |
| | + | |Former Alaska Senator who attacks his own party. |
| | + | |Controversial liberal that supports socialist healthcare, gay marriage and called the war in Iraq lost. <ref>[http://dailycaller.com/2010/12/09/gravel-considering-obama-primary-challenge-calls-for-new-911-investigation/ Gravel considering Obama primary challenge, calls for new 9/11 investigation, The Daily Caller, December 9, 2010]</ref> |
| | + | |Has appeared on MSNBC. |
| | |} | | |} |
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