[OeOeO]

No sarcasm, but could you name the conservatives who could have gotten into the race? I was hoping for Thompson but he turned into a pilot that failed to light. I can’t come up with any names, which is a shame as we have had 8 years to coalesce around someone.

[Yosemitest]

I wish Rush would run.
Then G. Gorden Liddy comes to mind. That would drive the democrats nuts.
I'd be happy with Oliver North.
But Newt is a real leader.

[Lancey Howard]

Tom Coburn (R-OK)
Jim DeMint (R-SC)
John Ensign (R-NV)
James Inhofe (R-OK)
John Thune (R-SD)

Jeff Sessions (R-AL)
Wayne Allard (R-CO)
Johnny Isakson (R-GA)
Richard Burr (R-NC)
John Cornyn (R-TX)

Also, Rick Santorum and George Allen (although recent losses may have made these candidacies problematic).

Those names are just from the Senate. There MUST be a handful of former and current conservative House Representatives who are well-enough known to raise some enthusiasm (and money).

And similarly, There MUST be a handful of former and current conservative governors who are well-enough known to raise enthusiasm (and money).