Now, we all know that the GOP's 2008 field has been, well, lets be generous...underwhelming. You must be thinking that they seriously can't do much worse. Just wait until you see their theoretical '12 talent pool...actually its a puddle.
Looking at all sitting Governors and Senators, I came up with a total of nine possible names, one of which is probably too old (Lamar Alexander), another two to three who are probably too obscure (Hoeven, Rounds, and Heineman). Of the remaining 5, there are only two who have something resembling a shot in my mind. So realistically, here's their 2012 list, in all of its shakiness; the reasonings behind it are post jump.
- Gov. Tim Pawlenty (MN)
- Sen. John Thune (SD)
----giant fall off here------
- Gov. Haley Barbour (MS)
- Gov. Mark Sanford (SC)
----even bigger fall off here------
- Sen. Richard Burr (NC)
- Sen. Lamar Alexander (TN)
- Gov. Dave Heineman (NE)
8/9. John Hoeven/Mike Rounds (The Dakotas)
Governors
AL:He'd be 67 in 2012, which is probably too old.
AK:Palin is probably too obscure, and AK is so far removed from the rest of the country.
CA:Arnold's not legal.
CT:Rell is way too moderate for the modern GOP.
FL:Crist has too many rumors floating around about his personal life. Plus he's been unmarried since 1980.
ID:See AK...only difference is that Butch is an odd first name.
IN:Daniels has a very tough re-election ahead of him, and he's got Bush baggage up the wazoo.
MN:Pawlenty is probably their best candidate on the Governor side of the equation. Up for re-election in 2010.
MO:One of the most unpopular Governors in America, likely to lose to Jay Nixon this year.
MS:Haley Barbour is a possible. He'd be 64 in 2012. His lobbying past is likely a huge liability in a general election.
ND:Hoeven's very popular, but he turned down challenging Kent Conrad last cycle, and I wonder if he'd even want to go to Washington. Likely too obscure
NE:Dave Heineman is popular, but he's a small state governor from the reddest of red states.
NV:Gibbons is an absolute personal disaster.
SC:Sanford has been an awful governor, but the GOP faithful like him for some reason.
SD:Rounds is a lot like Hoeven, but he's an unknown national quantity. Likely too obscure.
RI:Carceiri's too moderate.
TX:Perry's an idiot.
UT:The Mitt Romney problem.
VT:Jim Douglas is also way too moderate for the GOP.
Gov.Rankings
1.Tim Pawlenty (MN)
2.Haley Barbour (MS)
3.Mark Sanford (SC)
-----giant fall off here-----
4.Dave Heineman (NE)
5.John Hoeven/Mike Rounds (The Dakotas)
Senate
AK:Both are subjects of corruption probes. 'Nuff said
AL:Sessions isn't smart enough, and Shelby is probably too old.
CO:Allard's retiring.
GA:Isakson is too pro choice, and Saxby Chambliss is too old.
FL:Mel Martinez has to get elected in 2010 first (not an easy task), and I just can't see the GOP nominating someone who isn't a white dude.
ID:There's Larry Craig, and Crapo's probably too obscure.
IN:If Lugar was 10 years younger......
KY:Bunning's too old, and I have a feeling that Mitch would play absolutely horribly.
LA:Vitter's got other things on his mind right now.
ME:Both are way too moderate for the GOP.
MN:I have severe doubts that Coleman would survive outside of this cycle. Plus, he's a party switcher, which is in all likelihood, a non starter.
MS:Lott's retiring, and Cochran is way too old.
NC:Dole is too old, but Burr might be an outside possibility.
NE:Hagel is retiring, but he's still just young enough, and the field is absolutely dreadful.
NH:Sununu will be likely gone, and Judd Gregg would be 64, at the outside edge of being too old.
NM:Domenici is retiring
OH:My guess is that George Voinivich retires in 2010, and he's too old anyways.
OK: The thought of either Coburn or Inhofe running makes me laugh. Really loudly.
OR:Smith's a Mormon, and that's a big obstacle to overcome in the GOP field.
PA:Specter's probably a 2010 retirement.
TN:Corker isn't graceful enough, and Lamar will be McCain age, though he's aged pretty well, and with the dearth of talent.
SC:Too many rumors about Lindsay Graham floating around, and DeMint is an absolutely horrible campaigner.
SD:Thune is probably the best candidate they have on the Senate side, and maybe in the whole field.
TX:Cornyn is possibly a bigger idiot then Perry, and KBH will be too old.
UT:As Mitt is proving right now, its a tough road for a Mormon.
WY:Barasso is too green, and Enzi would be 67.
Senate Rankings
- John Thune (SD)
----giant fall off here----
- Richard Burr (NC)
- Lamar Alexander (TN)