Top Ten Republican Candidates for 2012  

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10) David Petraeus

Although ordinarily a good candidate, I can't see anyone directly linked to Bush being elected, barring a dismal Obama failure or a massive terrorist attack here at home.



9) Mark Sanford

Sanford has gained a popularity bump from conservatives by turning down any kind of state bailout for South Carolina. He has good experience in fixing a budget, as well, and we all know that the next president will need that.

In 2003, South Carolina was in an almost $1 billion financial hole in addition to a $155 million unconstitutional deficit. After years of engaging in a tug-of-war with the Legislature over the issue of spending, we’re starting to see signs of progress - the 2007 budget process started in the black for the first time in 16 years.



8) Micheal Steele

Has called for the repeal of federal gasoline and diesel taxes as an immediate, short term solution for our energy crisis. He also supports tax breaks on green automobiles and repealing the death tax.




7) Tim Pawlenty

Balanced the Minnesota budget not by raising taxes, and not by cutting spending, but rather by slowing the rate of funding growth for state services.




6) Mike Pence

Pence describes himself as "a Christian, a conservative and a Republican, in that order." He supported no amnesty immigration reform, a ban on embryonic stem cell research (he cites the viability of adult stem cells.



5) George Allen

A former governor of Virginia, and a former US senator, George Allen definitely has the credentials required. His loose lips are a detriment, a la the "Mucaca" quip.



4) Bobby Jindal

The governor of Louisiana is actually my favorite in the list, but he recently batted down any talk of him running for president when he announced his bid for re-election in 2011 in Richmond, VA. Jindal is currently experiencing the same kind of buzz created in 2004 by a certain senator from Illinois.



3) Newt Gingrich

Any credit for Bill Clinton's bi-partisanship taken by the Democrats needs to coupled with Gingrich and the "Contract for America". Gingrich is a conservative's conservative. He also posesses national recognition that no other person above him on this list can claim.



2) Mike Huckabee

Huckabee was the favorite amongst conservatives during the primaries. He is curently hosting his own show on Fox News. The only thing holding back Huckabee is his poor comedic timing.




1) Sarah Palin

Round 1 may be over, but Palin thrust herself into the national political spotlight with her no nonsense approach and her appeal to regular folks. Like her or not, there is no denying that she is the superstar of the party right now.