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GOP Rivals Slowly Emerge for 2012 Battle

Barbour, Pawlenty only the first to begin making political waves

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 4, 2009 6:41 AM CDT
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(Newser) – The 2008 presidential campaign was one of the longest in history, but be prepared: As the Washington Post reports, the 2012 race may be even longer. With the Republican Party at its weakest point in decades, possible challengers to Barack Obama are already scrambling for position. The latest: Mississippi governor Haley Barbour has scheduled appearances this month in key states Iowa and New Hampshire.

Yesterday, Tim Pawlenty, who narrowly missed the No. 2 spot on the McCain ticket, announced he won't seek another term as Minnesota governor—sending blog and cable speculation into overdrive. Other candidates may still emerge, from South Dakota Sen.  John Thune to South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford. Why so early? As one strategist said, "The last thing anybody wants to do is look back in late 2010 and say, 'I wish I could run.'"

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty answers a question during a news conference in St. Paul, Minn. on Tuesday, June 2, 2009 where he announced that he would not seek a third term.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty answers a question during a news conference in St. Paul, Minn. on Tuesday, June 2, 2009 where he announced that he would not seek a third term.   (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich looks at South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford as they share the stage during a conference on health care reform Thursday, May 21, 2009, in Columbia, SC.
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich looks at South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford as they share the stage during a conference on health care reform Thursday, May 21, 2009, in Columbia, SC.   (AP Photo/Mary Ann Chastain)
Sen. John Thune, R-SD, speaks after leaving a meeting of Senate Republicans regarding legislation on the financial crisis Saturday, Sept. 27, 2008, on Capitol Hill in Washington.
Sen. John Thune, R-SD, speaks after leaving a meeting of Senate Republicans regarding legislation on the financial crisis Saturday, Sept. 27, 2008, on Capitol Hill in Washington.   (AP Photo/Lauren Victoria Burke)
Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, who is holding events in Iowa and New Hampshire this month.
Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, who is holding events in Iowa and New Hampshire this month.   (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 9 comments
drlarrymitchell
Jun 5, 2009 4:26 AM CDT
True dat, wwwonderer. They're walking a fine line, and bound to screw up- it's simply in their nature. Throw in the hostile environment Repubs find themselves in and the nattering gas-bags like Hannity and Limbaugh trying to conserve their base by out-doing everyone else with their street cred, and anyway it goes down it all adds up to fun!!
drlarrymitchell
Jun 4, 2009 12:04 PM CDT
This is gonna be fun, watching the short-bus kids scrambling to be the first ones going over the cliff.
Robert_Dada
Jun 4, 2009 10:26 AM CDT
Yeah Rob, we're taking your lead and trying not to go overboard on PC you hypocrite.

Place your bets: Palin has shortest odds, then Romney
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Republican Party • Tim Pawlenty • Haley Barbour • presidential candidates • presidential election • John Thune • Mark Sanford • Election 2012

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