"While I think the voters would appreciate more sober leadership than that offered by Obama, they probably aren't going to go for someone like Pawlenty who has all the flash and sizzle of a UPS truck." Yeah, you've got to be at least engaging and nominally compelling. Pawlenty seems to be the guy who's most likely to run the Fred Thompson-like campaign of 2012. Fred would have made a great President, but his campaign was flat and uninspired. That's the kind of campaign I'd expect to see from Pawlenty, and perhaps from Daniels as well.
Personally, I'm a big Bob McDonnell fan. It's just a shame he didn't run for VA governor when Kaine did, instead of four years later. Bob's a earnest and sober guy, but he has just enough charisma to be engaging - kind of like Jim DeMint.
Like I said elsewhere on this thread, I like everything I've seen from McDonnell so far, but I think he probably needs another four years as Governor under his belt before he's a truly credible Presidential candidate.
That said, I'm starting to realize that I'm saying "It's too early" for a lot of potential candidates that I'm genuinely impressed with. At the same time, I am mightily unimpressed with the pool of potential candidates who are "ready now". Now, that may be because these relative newcomers haven't yet had to actually govern for very long, with everything that entails, but I've also noticed that many of them are showing a lot better polish, political acumen, and grasp of the issues than are many of the more experienced candidates.
It doesn't look like I'm the only one thinking this, either.
A recent article in Politico reported, "It’s almost as though there is more excitement over the deep pool of [GOP] vice presidential prospects than over the emerging roster of presidential candidates."
While I would normally find it both foolish and distasteful for someone to begin running for President less than two years after being elected Governor, this might just be the year to make an exception. Sometimes talent makes up for lack of experience better than experience makes up for lack of talent.