Thune doesn’t seem to be serious about running, or at least some recent positions of his would indicate that he is not gearing up for a serious challenge.

Romney hasn’t quit campaigning since 2008, and, he seems to be the only one who has made it clear that he will run again, and that would automatically put him at the top of the list in many polls. I don’t believe he can survive Rpmneycare, especially with Ocare being so unpopular, and the language being repeal, repeal, repeal. If I am not mistaken, his wife cut up the credit card last time. She would do well to not give him a new one.

I think Jindal is literally brilliant. When I heard his reporting on another possible Katrina in his state, he had control of every tiny little fact, and he shared it with the public. I have admired his handling of the BP oil spill, and his willingness to share the mistakes of O and his admin during the disaster. As to his delivery of information, uhh not so much. His response to the O’s first SOTU address, what he had to say, was lost in the boring manner in how he delivered those words. I agree with you, charisma and the ability to inspire with your speeches, does seem to be a requirement. Bush, in the 8 years of his presidency, was never able to acquire that skill, and, he still has not acquired it. Same goes for Carter’s sweater wearing, fireside chats that only brought more misery and malaise to the masses.

Weather Palin is liked or not by some here, and on many other sites, does not erase the fact that she manages to retain the ability to draw huge crowds. She seems also to have terrific fundraising abilities. I would think after this past election, she is holding many chits that she can call in if necessary. I would bet she has as much, if not more of a following of supporters than Ron Paul. I can’t see her appealing to Libertarians as she is as pro-life, and God fearing as it gets. She is also a big time military supporter. I don’t know if she should or would run, but, I’d say it’s 50/50 at this point.

I recently read that Pawlenty and Daniels will likely not make any decisions on running until sometime in the spring. I would guess that they would decide based on what kind of fundraising they are able to accomplish between now and then. Didn’t Pawlenty’s big announcement day, that he was forming a PAC, go mostly unnoticed? Of course Huckabee started out on a Holiday Inn Express budget, got a bump after winning the first primary in 08, and then the well seemed to run dry again. The old Huckster still carried on the fight until the end, even though he was broke and busted. I don’t think he is doing any better this time.

I really do believe that Christie was serious when he asked “What do I have to do to convince you people that I am not running for the Presidency in 2012, commit suicide.” He has been great on the NJ Unions, and many more governors should take lessons on that issue. I could not support him because of his friendly environmental and green positions. He seems weak on immigration. He endorsed Castle, and, I think he came out in support of the GZM.

I view Scott Brown as a one time wonder. I think he won Ted Kennedy’s seat because he was seen as the one vote that could stop Ocare. He had the only race going on at the time, it was a special election. It afforded him national support. He has direly dissapointed me with his votes for the Liberals justices, and, mainly, his vote for Financial Reform. The Democrats will not make the mistake again in 2012 to run anyone as bad as Coakley. I suspect the seat goes back to the Dems. in 2012. Heck, we couldn’t even get rid of Bawney Fwank or Ed Markey this November.

Newt sat on the couch with San Fran Nan once, which was one time to many. The NY 23rd Scozzi event was monumentously bad. Also, talk about retreads, he belongs in a museum. No dice.

I like Haley Barbour. Would he be seen as too much of an insider this time to the rodeo? I don’t know.

I saved my favorite, so far, for last. I really like Mike Pence. He is strong on all of the Reagan positions, national security, fiscal and social. He doesn’t seem to be irrational or out of step with any of those three principles, and that has a wide appeal to many. He doesn’t have good name recognition. It would be difficult to go from the House to the Presidency, but, if the O can go from being a Senator less than 2 years to the Presidency, it may be possible. I am not sure that he won’t run for Gov first, and possibly look at a Presidential race down the road. But, I really like the whole of him. Read this speech he delivered to Hillsdale College-

http://spectator.org/archives/2010/09/20/hillsdale-speech-on-the-presid

That speech was worldclass in my opinion. Imagine him delivering a speech like that in foreign countries, compared to the speeches that the O has given. I don’t see Pence with opening his mouth to exchange feet. He would honor, and praise and promote the American people throughout the world, as to how exceptional we really are.

They are my thoughts, for what it is worth.

was a blessing to the nation. IMHO, if he decided to run, that would come back to bite him in the butt as a big negative. It was very unpopular with a majority in the country. I remember it well. Other than that, I don’t know much else about him. He is the new RGA leader, and I would think that would mean something positive.