Possible Republican contenders in 2012?

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

I wish Rudy would run again. He's purchased joinrudy2012 already, so there's a possibility that he will again. He needs a new campaign team, that's for sure.

Romney and Huckabee definitely will run, and Pawlenty might throw his had in as  well if he is reelected in 2010. Palin might run, but I'd be surprised if she got anywhere after her messups during this cycle. I love Jindal but he's too far right for a lot of people to stomach. Huckabee and Romney will be the early frontrunners and will probably be the two that will get it. The GOP normally nominates the runnerup the next time around.

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

The Republican need some one like Rudy or Tom Ridge to run and win.

I agree we need the moderate wing to come back, but right now it seems that all moderate Republicans are Democrats or Independents now. They are almost becoming extinct, as are the moderate Democrats like Bill Clinton when he was President. I really don't want my party to move down the road of populism, and that's what looks like is going to happen. I don't know where us economic conservatives will go. The Democrat Party certainly isn't for us, but if people like Huckabee or Palin take control of the party, the GOP won't be for us either.

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

Romney and Huckabee definitely will run, and Pawlenty might throw his had in as  well if he is reelected in 2010.

Pawlenty could certainly run for president even if he doesn't run for reelection in 2010.  In fact, not running for reelection would probably be a stronger sign that he intends to run for president.  He will have already served 2 terms as governor in 2010.  Why mess around with another run for governor, which would only marginally affect his presidential viability?  Why not just immediately start focusing on the run for president as his term winds down?

If he didn't seek reelection then that might be a sign. If he were to run again and lose, that might hurt his chances.