(Newser)
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Mitt Romney and Sarah Palin lead the pack of possible 2012 GOP presidential challengers when it comes to fundraising, with $2.9 million and $2.1 million coming in over the last year, respectively. Romney still had $1.1 million in the bank at the beginning of the year after his 2008 run, while former VP nominee Palin held on to $928,000. During the last 6 months of 2009, Palin spent almost $900,000 on travel and consulting.
Rounding out the field of prospective candidates is Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty—he started his political action committee in October—who took in $1.3 million last year and now has $884,000. Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee raised $824,000 in 2009 and started 2010 with $192,000, reports USA Today.
