Posted on 02/02/2011 7:21:05 PM PST by pissant
Jon Huntsman's planned resignation as ambassador to China this spring seems to be a clear indication that former Utah governor is planning on running for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012.
He'll be far from alone.
There are currently 18 Republicans mentioned as 2012 candidates and the vast majority of that group is doing the sorts of things -- visiting Iowa and New Hampshire, writing books etc. -- that people who want to run for president do.
Assuming even two-thirds of that group runs, it will match the largest field in presidential history and create a decidedly chaotic primary season. But will it help or hinder Republican chances of winning the White House?
Let's take a look back at history first. (The Fix should have been a history major in college.)
Since the 1968 election, the largest number of candidates to run for a party's nomination is 12, which has happened four times: 1972 (Democrats), 1976 (Democrats), 2000 (Republicans) and 2008 (Republicans). (The last presidential election holds the distinction as the largest combined field with 20 total candidates seeking their respective parties' nominations.)
The reasons for these large fields are relatively obvious: no incumbent president or even an heir apparent to hold down the number of ambitious pols willing to jump into the race. In other words: opportunity.
(Excerpt) Read more at voices.washingtonpost.com ...
From what I’ve observed in the state run “media” over the past couple of weeks, it appears that the DemocRATS have already selected Mitt Romney for us.
Yes the size of the field matters. If there are multiple conservatives going into the primaries, we’ll have to choose in November between a socialist and a Marxist.
Period.
DeMint
About 5' 4" and turning 47 this month.
Exactly, so far none of the R names being mentioned does a thing for me, they are mostly bland bland men who have the vigor of a corpse.
Debates will be like Accounting Practice Meetings..
Good. Let the other 15 split the vote.
I think you'll change your mind if we see Palin, Cain, Bachmann and DeMint on the same stage.
I hope that does NOT happen! I don’t want to see the, fighting one another!
THAT will not help Conservatism at all.
I was thinking 5’2” and 54
Mix-n-match, a winning ticket!
I agree, and I truly don't see it happening in reality. Sarah is the only one of those four who has any staying power.
What we will probably see is Palin, Romney, Pawlenty, maybe Pence and an outside shot of a current governor (Christie, Kasich, Perry; take your pick.)
The more the merrier. While, with a large number, some of the best will be knocked off early, it will generate more interest. DumBO will not have a good target and will spend much at poor prospects.
Large fields must equal weak nominees. McGovern, Carter, George W. Bush, McCain.
Doesn't bode well for 2012.
I can support Huntsman, as well as Cain. My favorites are in my tagline. I also have a nightmare list on my homepage.
Under no circumstance should the slime stream media be allowed to pick our candidate like last time.
Yikes
Hmm, AFAIK Bachmann and Demint or not running in 2012?
The other grim reality is Obamao will raise 1 billion for his re-election bid, whomever wins the nomination will have to be able to come close to matching him or 1 billion along with the MSM literally fellating his failure of a Presidency and a R can find themselves buried by October.
Let’s hope they do not make the Bob Dole mistake once again.
The Republican nominee will have to far, far, far outstrip in legitimate domestic donations what BO can raise in illegal overseas donations.
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