Obama and Clinton have set a precedence on baggage. Ever heard about some of Obama's terrorist friends? And Bill Clinton won re-election despite all his baggage from before and during his first term.
Thanks to Obama and Clinton the doors have reopened for Oliver North, Newt Gingrich, Donald Trump, heck even Nixon could be electable after the precedence set by Obama and Clinton.
The MSM covered up and covered for Obama, to such a point, that very few ( the great unwashed, brain dead )knew about Ayers and Wright, etc. and they won't know about any of it in '12.
That has never been and certainly won't be the case for any of the GOPer hopefuls during the primary and election season of '12.