[Judith Anne]

Earlier and earlier declarations have become tiresome. I mean, one election is barely over, and the media is pushing the next one. Does it have to be presidential politics 24/7/365 for years? Why does every candidate have to be "out there" campaigning so early?

After Christmas would be soon enough for me. I like the early look at the potential field, but gee whiz, gag me with a spoon. I don't want to know all about everyone's nose hairs 14 months before the election. We still have time to impeach Obama, frankly, if we get busy and get the job done.

[toddausauras]

Me too. I would be ok with December. These debates are entertaining and I look forward to them but let’s face it, they’re there to tear down the candidates. GOTCHA. Newt was my hero last night for calling them on it.

[newzjunkey]

Candidates need money. You don't get money if no one knows who you are. The less known you are the earlier you have to start and even then Republican nominees have been pre-known for decades: Nixon was Ike's veep and lost to JFK, Ford was president, Reagan had run against Ford, Bush was Reagan's VP, Bob Dole was Ford's losing campaign vp and ran in '80, W had a pedigree, McCain had run in 2000… now we have Romney "leading" because he ran in 2008.

If anyone except Romney or Palin win the nomination and beat Obama we'd have an unusual GOP winner not having run for president before, been on a national ticket before or not having a pedigree.