Battle Begins for 2012 GOP Contenders

CBS ^ | Brian Montopoli

[deek69]

very four years, in between presidential elections, conservative activists gather to take stock of some of the most prominent names in the Republican Party -- and consider which of them has what it takes for a successful run for the White House.

That gathering, the Southern Republican Leadership Conference, takes place this Thursday through Saturday in New Orleans. Among the speakers will be Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul, Bobby Jindal, Michael Steele, and Sarah Palin, whose speech will be closely watched for signs as to whether the former Alaska governor is serious about a presidential run or is opting instead a lucrative media career.

[HiTech RedNeck]

If Sarah wants to run, she’ll surely raise money with her media ventures for a while yet.

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

Feel FRee to introduce yourself......

[Fiddlstix]

Welcome to FR

[GOPsterinMA]

Michele Bachmann’s stock is fast rising. So is Paul Ryan’s.

I could go for a Bachmann/Paul Ryan ticket.

Jeff Sessions, Jim DeMint, Tom Coburn, Mike Pence, Greg Abbott (AG of TX) should all get looks as well.

[jessduntno]

“Among the speakers will be Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul, Bobby Jindal, Michael Steele, and Sarah Palin, whose speech will be closely watched for signs as to whether the former Alaska governor is serious about a presidential run or is opting instead a lucrative media career.”

Who do you like, Deek?

[freedumb2003]

Welcome — good opening thread.

[onyx]

LOL. Look who cBS included in the photo with Sarah...ROTFLOLOLOLOLOLOL.

[Allegra]

You mean the pouting little kook in the back left? :)

[Cobra64]

Ryan is near the top of the list. He’s an economist... and knows how the numbers work. Believes in the US Constitution.

[onyx]

Yep... stupid look on his stupid face.

[Allegra]

But look who's front and center....and look who's in the very back...LOL

[onyx]

Mike Pence is also placed in the back row and Ron Paul doesn’t belong in the picture. He’s a joke of a candidate and cBS know it. It’s insulting to include him.

[matthew fuller]

Who is the right rear? Crist? Doesn’t really look like him.

[no dems]

Among the speakers will be Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul, Bobby Jindal, Michael Steele, and Sarah Palin,

Well, IMO, out of that list, you can scratch....
Newt Gingrich; too much baggage.
Ron Paul; the "moon-beam vote" won't carry him.
Michael Steele; no need to comment.
So, out of that list the only to viable candidates would be Palin and Jindal.
Now, if you want to add in Paul Ryan, David Petraeus, Mike Pence and Marco Rubio.....now we're talking.

[Allegra]

I like Mike Pence. And several others. Ron Paul isn't even a blip on the meter.

And he won't be. Oh, his cult will start crowing about how he's going to win the nomination and surprise everyone like they started doing in '07 (and I think they really believed that!), but he won't get more than 7% of the vote at best.

[onyx]

Mike Pence.
Not a good pic at all.
Damn ole cBS.

[onyx]

Yeah, his vociferous little groupies.
Wet-behind-the-ear pests.

[matthew fuller]

OK, Thanks. I’m much more familiar with Pence’s name and reputation (which is good) than I am with his face.

[writer33]

I like your tagline but that’s way too much estrogen in the White House. LOL!