I don't think Whitman is very well positioned to win any GOP presidential primary anywhere, including NJ. Mid Atlantic aristocrats who display a cultural distaste for fly over country, and lack a down to earth touch, simply are not very appealing, unless they hare unique charisma, or awesome personal accomplishments, and Whitman has neither.
Whitman for President? Her social liberal views make anathema to the conservative base.
Yes, but does SHE recognize that?