Who will run in 2012

[SubGod22]

I don't have a link, but Haley Barbour has announced that he will NOT run in 2012. Most have expected him to make a run. At least from what I'd seen.

[SubGod22]

Ron Paul to Announce Exploratory Committee

After a visit to the Big Apple during which he chatted it up with the ladies of "The View" and traded barbs with Stephen Colbert on "The Colbert Report," Texas Republican representative Ron Paul is heading back to Iowa -- his third time this month -- but this time for a big announcement. A source close to Paul says he will announce his Presidential exploratory committee.

Perhaps even more interesting for close campaign watchers, he's expected to announce his Iowa leadership team, which may provide insight on the direction of his would-be campaign.Paul has been on a media blitz for his new book "Liberty Defined," which was published last week. He's also been ping-ponging between the important early voting states of Iowa and New Hampshire. He'll head to Nevada later this week.

[SubGod22]

Rubio won't be on 2012 ticket I like this guy and maybe one day he'll take a shot at the big job. But not yet.

[ISASO]

What about Herman Cain, former CEO of Godfather's Pizza? No political experience and proud of it.

[Kung Wu]

I am more concerned about who is this election cycle's Ross Perot? Who is going to split the conservative vote by running as an independent when they lose the 'publican primary, leaving a very unpopular incumbant in office?

Trump? or Paul?

[Maggie]

I am more concerned about who is this election cycle's Ross Perot? Who is going to split the conservative vote by running as an independent when they lose the 'publican primary, leaving a very unpopular incumbant in office?

Trump? or Paul?

I am not worried about Ron Paul splitting the conservative vote, should he chose to continue his campaign either as an independent or with the Libertarian Party, after he loses the GOP primary election. While it is true that Paul wins a lot of straw polls early on (like the CPAC poll) this is largely due to the fact that his supporters are very enthusiastic and come out in droves to vote. It has not carried over to the primary.

As for Trump, should he choose to run as an independent; I don’t think he will have much of an impact either. Trump has said himself on numerous occasions the objective should be to unseat Obama in 2012. I think the GOP electorate understands this and if Trump’s actions are seen as jeopardizing that goal the electorate will turn their back on him.

[RoyalShock]

Ron Paul will not run as anything other than a Republican.

[Maggie]

Ron Paul will not run as anything other than a Republican.

Excellent. :)

[RoyalShock]

Guess which Republican currently has the best chance to defeat Obama in the general election according to a CNN poll?

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/05/05/cnn-poll-still-no-front-runner-in-the-battle-for-the-gop-nomination/

[wu_shizzle]

I'm watching the Republican Debate on Fox right now.

Pawlenty and Santorum are nice guys, but are a little too high on the dorky scale for me.

Paul always says the right things, but in the wrong way; and I have no idea who the drug using New Mexico governor is.

So...

Herman Cain for President?

[Kung Wu]

From what little I know Cain is a worthy opponent.

[1979Shocker]

From what little I know Cain is a worthy opponent.

I don't like his pizzas. They're a little too greasy for me, unless they've changed the last time I tried them.

[SB Shock]

I'm watching the Republican Debate on Fox right now.

Pawlenty and Santorum are nice guys, but are a little too high on the dorky scale for me.

Paul always says the right things, but in the wrong way; and I have no idea who the drug using New Mexico governor is.

So...

Herman Cain for President?

Herman Cain won the the S.C. GOP debate.

[RoyalShock]

I like Cain's approach but I'm not sure he said a whole lot last night. I understand why most people think he won the debate. He said good things and presented them in a straightforward manner. But to me, those good things were all talking points that most people would just say, "well, duh!".

I do think he did well, despite the lack of depth in his answers and established himself as a serious candidate in the minds of most Republicans. I'm not convinced a jump from no elective experience to the presidency is wise.

I'm biased, but I still think Paul is best at getting to the heart of the issues. He understands what's wrong and what the solution is. Most of the issues and ideas he presented in the 2008 election that were blown off as fringe and kooky by the GOP are now in the Republican mainstream. He was getting things right before anyone else. He may be old and lack the charisma of guys like Santorum or Cain, but if he's the right guy for the job, so what.

[Maggie]

I don’t take Ron Paul serious as a presidential contender because (in my opinion) he isn’t one. He is the right’s version of Ralph Nader. The CPAC straw poll or any poll right now is entirely irrelevant to Paul’s chances in the primaries. The problem with Paul is every time I want to like him; he says something so utterly ridiculous I take a step back. Paul is not my favorite flavor of libertarian, but I liked having him in the race in 2008 because I always think libertarians are worth including in the conversation. I guess I feel the same way this time around, but my overriding concern is that the GOP nominate a conservative who can beat Obama in 2012.