the 12
Some have mentioned Rick Perry assuming he wins the election.
Palin, by backing McCain, puts herself in the Ronald Reagan mode of being a faithful GOPer. I would have pleaded with her not to back McCain but then again I would have pleaded with Reagan not to pick Bush, Weinberger, and Carlucci.
Palin is by far the strongest candidate of ABC’s 12 but a lot can happen during the next year and half before the Prez run shifts into high.
There is a real drop off once you get past Sarah. And it’s going to be hard to get better ones. Good candidates like Bachmann and Ryan are stuck in the House, where you really can’t run for Potus. Jindal would have to basically run for re-election in ‘11 at the same time he would be starting his prez campaign. Rubio has yet to even win the Senate nomination. Scott Brown (provided he doesn’t go full-on RINO) would be in good position for ‘16 if he wins reelection in ‘12.
I think it is all going to come down to the first few months when (hopefully) 0bama has to deal with GOP majorities in one or both houses.
This is an interesting list, though Mike Pence and George Pataki would both have to run for the Senate this year to have any credibility at all.
I like Pawlenty and Barbour. Gary Johnson I have never even heard of.