The list of U.S. political candidates for 2012 keeps growing
So far the list is short for Democratic opponents who wish to compete against the seated incumbent President, Barack Obama but the Republican side just keeps on growing! Democrats may well be shy about announcing just yet but those who are unhappy with the job Obama has done so far (and word is there are quite a few) will, no doubt, be rising up to challenge him in the coming months.
The first round-up will be at the Iowa caucuses in January of 2012. This will set the stage for some serious competition throughout the rest of the year. Twenty four Republican candidates who have already either thrown their hat into the ring, or are leaning that way include:
Vern Wuensche was first to file in March of 2011. He is a businessman from Houston, TX.
Mitt Romney is among others filing in March. He is formerly the Governor of Massachusetts and ran unsuccessfully in the last election in spite of deep financial pockets.
Timothy Pawlenty, Governor from Minnesota, may be restricted financially due to state campaigning restriction in that state.
Herman Cain, newspaper columnist from Memphis, Tennessee has a strong following, especially in the Deep South.
Newt Gingrich is a familiar face in the political arena. Former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representative, Gingrich is well known politically but has some personal issues.
Sarah Palin, formerly Governor of Alaska, is prepared better this time than her previous endeavor but her quitting the Governorship mid-term did not help her reputation.
Michele Bachmann is a Congresswoman from Minnesota who seems good at raising political dollars (and that’s what it takes to win).
Jon Huntsman is a former U.S. Ambassador to China, former Governor from Utah, and pro-lifer.
Ron Paul has run as a Libertarian before turning Republican.
Rick Santorum, formerly Senator from Pennsylvania, is an attorney with name recognition and deep financial pockets.
The race actually began when Obama was sworn in back in January of 2009 and will conclude on January 20th of 2013 at high noon. Now doesn’t that sound ominous?
