2012 GOP Primaires - Updated Version

[JSojourner]

Who would I support?  LOL

Among Republicans?  Well, since Amo Houghton, Mark Hatfield and Alan Simpson are pretty long in the tooth...maybe Olympia Snowe.  She's like the last of the Mohicans here.

But who do I think will be seriously in the mix?  A lot on your list, but Mike Pence.  Don't forget him.

[JSojourner]

I voted for Jindal, but I have a feeling Mitt will be our guy in 2012...and quite formidable.

I can't say if he will be your nominee, but I have to agree -- Romney will be far more formidable in 2012.  He is four long years removed from a primary where his flip flops on social issues were derided by Republicans...and he will have had four years to solidify his social conservative credentials.  Mormonism might actually be a help to him this time around, presuming Evangelicals and conservative Catholics cannot find an equally formidable alternative of their own.

If Romney is serious about his social conservatism (enough to pacify that wing of the party), his credentials on economic issues and his willingness to let government spend money on proven programs...while opposing helter-skelter spending...will be a huge boon to his campaign.

The question is, what does he do for four years?  Run for Senate?  Run again for Governor?  Move to another state and run?  Get a talk show?  He needs to keep himself in the national spotlight as much as possible.  That's clearly what Mike Huckabee is trying to do, speaking of another guy without an office.

[JSojourner]

The question is, what does he do for four years?  Run for Senate?  Run again for Governor?  Move to another state and run?  Get a talk show?  He needs to keep himself in the national spotlight as much as possible.  That's clearly what Mike Huckabee is trying to do, speaking of another guy without an office.

The 2012 primary campaign will begin in two years, not four.  Remember that virtually all of the 2008 candidates announced between December 2006 and February 2007.  The first debates were in April and May of 2007.  So, if Romney is planning to run for president in 2012, there's really no time (and no need, to be honest) for him to run for some other office in the interim.  Most Americans have no clue who represents other states in the senate or in governorships anyway, so I'm unclear as to how Romney will be any less in the "national spotlight" than, say, Tim Pawlenty, even though the latter is currently in political office while the former isn't.

True enough, Mord.  I don't WANT it to be true -- cause as much as I love the primary season and all the armchair speculation -- I also like a three year break.  But you're right.  The "running" begins in earnest at least two years out now.  And even now, pundits are keeping a trained eye on who shows up in New Hampshire and Iowa to eat rubber chicken.