Less than a year before the Iowa caucuses, a varied and ambitious group of Republicans has been jockeying for their party's presidential nomination, and a chance to go head-to-head with President Obama in 2012.
Here's a look at 24 Republicans whom ABC News has identified as likely and not-so-likely contenders in 2012:
FRONT-RUNNERS
Mitt Romney
Former Governor of Massachusetts
Former Governor of Massachusetts
"I haven't made a decision yet as to what we're going to do ... but I can tell you that I'm very drawn to the fact that this country needs someone who has private sector experience, because this economy is troubled." Romney on "GMA," Feb. 1, 2011.
Age: 63 Birthplace: Detroit Family: Ann Romney (wife); Children: Tagg, Matt, Josh, Ben, and Craig Religion: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon) Current job: Keynote speeches, GOP fundraising Previous experience: Presidential candidate, 2008 Most Recent Book Written: "No Apology: The Case for American Greatness" (2010) PAC: Free and Strong America PAC, Inc. Total 2010 Receipts (from Dec. report): $5,568,466.75 Cash on Hand (from Dec. report): $796,207.59 Total 2010 fundraising for the federal and five state PACs:$6,300,723.52PROS: Strong name identification. Experienced campaign team with proven fundraising ability. Success as a businessman.
CONS: The Massachusetts health care law that was enacted during his tenure as governor, especially the controversial measure of individual mandates. His religion (Mormon) is still seen by many as an impediment to greater appeal among socially-conservative evangelical Christian primary voters.
Tim Pawlenty
Governor of Minnesota
Governor of Minnesota
"I'm running for president because I can tackle and fix the budget deficit and the debt and get this economy back on track. That's what I did in Minnesota and that's what I can do for America." Pawlenty announces presidential campaign on "GMA," May 23, 2011.
Age: 50 Birthplace: St. Paul, Minnesota Family: Mary Pawlenty (wife); Children: Anna and Mara Religion: Baptist Current job: Governor Previous experience: Has never run for president Most Recent Book Written: "Courage to Stand: An American Story" (2011) PAC: Freedom First PAC Total 2010 Receipts (from Dec. report): $2,096,639 Cash on Hand (from Dec. report): $154,989.60 Total 2010 fundraising for the federal and state PACs:$2,600,000PROS: Record of fiscal conservatism as governor. Midwest roots give him leg up in Iowa caucus. "Electability argument." "Sam's Club" brand of "commonsense conservatism" allows him to reach beyond traditional GOP base and attract independents in a general election. Serious and credible campaign team in place.
CONS: Fundraising: He's never had to raise big bucks before and couldn't because of restrictive state campaign finance laws. He may be able to raise what he needs, but no one knows for sure if he can. Can "Minnesota Nice" win over a restive and fired-up base?
Newt Gingrich
Former Speaker of the U.S. House
Former Speaker of the U.S. House
"I'm announcing my candidacy for President of the United States, because I believe we can return America to hope and opportunity, to full employment, to real security, to an American energy program, to a balanced budget." Gingrich announcement video, May 11, 2011.
Age: 67 Birthplace: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Family: Callista Gingrich (wife); Children: Two daughters with Jackie Battley (first wife) Religion: Roman Catholic (formerly Baptist; converted in March '09) Current job: Chairman, American Solutions for Winning the Future; college professor Previous experience: Has never run for president Most Recent Book Written: "To Save America: Stopping Obama's Secular-Socialist Machine" (2010) PAC: American Solutions PAC Total 2010 Receipts (from Dec. report): $736,708.60 Cash on Hand (from Dec. report): $64,716.60PROS: Name ID. Goodwill among party base. Seen as "ideas guy," big thinker and intellectual heavyweight. Skilled grassroots organizer.
CONS: Messy personal life, including multiple divorces. Fundraising: He's been able to raise for his 527 groups but those don't have the restrictive limits that presidential candidate has to live under.
Sarah Palin
Former Governor of Alaska
Former Governor of Alaska
" I'm looking at the lay of the land now, and ... trying to figure that out, if it's a good thing for the country, for the discourse, for my family." Palin to ABC's Barbara Walters, November 2010.
Age: 46 Birthplace: Sandpoint, Idaho Family: Todd Palin (husband); Children: Track, Bristol, Willow, Piper, and Trig Religion: Non-denominational Christian Current job: Reality TV show host; Fox News contributor Previous experience: Vice presidential candidate, 2008 Most Recent Book Written: "America By Heart" (2010) PAC: SarahPac Total 2010 Receipts (from Dec. report): $3,553,094.79 Cash on Hand (from Dec. report): $1,328,951.26PROS: Name ID. Access to grassroots fundraising. Strong following among social conservatives and Tea Party types. Ability to dominate "free" media means she doesn't have to spend as much money on paid advertising.
CONS: Lack of organizational campaign structure or strategy. Even among those who view her favorably, there's an electability concern. Mixed record in Alaska, especially the fact that she quit midway through her term as governor.
CHIEF CHALLENGERS
Michele Bachmann
Congresswoman from Minnesota
Congresswoman from Minnesota
"I'm in for 2012 in that I want to be a part of the conversation in making sure that President Obama only serves one term, not two." Bachmann to ABC's Jonathan KarlMar. 24, 2011.
Age: 54 Birthplace: Waterloo, Iowa Family: Marcus (husband); Children: Lucas, Harrison, Elisa, Caroline, Sophia Religion: Lutheran Current job: Congresswoman Previous experience: Has never run for president Most Recent Book Written: N/A PAC: Many Individual Conservatives Helping Elect Leaders Everywhere (MICHELE) PAC Total 2010 Receipts (from Dec. report): $659,595.50 Cash on Hand (from Dec. report): $192,804.90PROS: Strong support from Tea Party activists. Minnesota base gives her great access and credibility in Iowa. Proven ability to raise money.
CONS: A polarizing figure. Can she broaden her appeal beyond a narrow slice of the Republican electorate?
Jon Huntsman
Former U.S. Ambassador to China
Former U.S. Ambassador to China
"Things are moving pretty quickly. Whatever timeline one is looking at can't be more than a couple months." Huntsman to reportersafter meeting with South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, May 7, 2011.
Age: 51 Birthplace: Palo Alto, Calif. Family: Mary Kaye Cooper (wife); Children: Mary Anne, Abigail, Elizabeth, Jon, William, Gracie Mei, and Asha Bharati Religion: Mormon Current job: TBD Previous experience: Has never run for president Most Recent Book Written: N/A PAC: Horizon PAC WILD CARDS
Ron Paul
Congressman from Texas
Congressman from Texas
"Time has come around to the point where the people are agreeing with much of what I've been saying for 30 years." Paul announces his candidacy on "GMA", May 13, 2011.
Age: 75 Birthplace: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Family: Carol Paul (wife); Children: Ronald Paul, Jr., Lori Paul Pyeatt, Senator-elect Randal Paul, Robert Paul, and Joy Paul-LeBlanc Religion: Baptist Current job: U.S. Congressman Previous experience: Ran for president in 1988 as a Libertarian and in 2008 as a Republican Most Recent Book Written: "Liberty Defined: The 50 Urgent Issues That Affect Our Freedom" (due out 4/19/11) PAC: Liberty PAC Total 2010 Receipts (from Dec. report): $183,602.30 Cash on Hand (from Dec. report): $90,104.20
Rick Santorum
Former Senator from Pennsylvania
Former Senator from Pennsylvania
"There isn't a single candidate running for president who can claim to be a tea party candidate…I qualify." Santorum to Politico, November 2010.
Age: 52 Birthplace: Winchester, Virginia Family: Karen Garver Santorum (wife); Children: Elizabeth, Richard, Daniel, Sarah, Peter, Patrick, and Isabella Religion: Roman Catholic Current job: Attorney Previous experience: Has never run for president Most Recent Book Written: "It Takes a Family: Conservatism and the Common Good" (2006) PAC: America's Foundation Total 2010 Receipts (from Dec. report): $1,564,303.20 Cash on Hand (from Dec. report): $102,858
Herman Cain
Former CEO of Godfather's Pizza
Former CEO of Godfather's Pizza
" I am confident enough to be president... After I go through this phase and the decision is yes, trust me, I'm running to win." Cain on "Top Line," January 2011.
Age: 65 Birthplace: Memphis, Tennessee Family: Gloria Cain (wife); Children: Melanie and Vincent. Religion: Baptist Current job: Newspaper columnist Previous experience: Has never run for president Most Recent Book Written: "They Think You're Stupid: Why Democrats Lost Your Vote and What Republicans Must Do to Keep It" (2005) PAC: The Hermanator Total 2010 Receipts (from Dec. report): $221,945 Cash on Hand (from Dec. report): $2,246 
Charles Elson "Buddy" Roemer III
Former Governor of Louisiana
Former Governor of Louisiana
"I'm going to be a factor in 2012." Roemer on "Top Line" , March 2011.
Age: 67 Birthplace: Shreveport, Louisiana Family: Twice divorced Religion: Methodist Current job: Bank President and CEO Previous experience: Has never run for president Most Recent Book Written: "The Roemer Revolution" (1987) PAC: N/A 
John Bolton
Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations
Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations
"Yes, I am considering it." Bolton to conservative WABC radio talk show host Aaron Klein, November 2010.
Age: 62 Birthplace: Baltimore, Maryland Family: Gretchen Bolton (wife); daughter, Jennifer Religion: Lutheran Current job: Senior Fellow at American Enterprise Institute Previous experience: Has never run for president Most Recent Book Written: "How Barack Obama is Endangering our National Sovereignty" (2010) PAC: N/A 
0 komentar