GOP readies for 2012

The future of the GOP may not hinge on taking back power in Congress, but rather unseating Barack Obama in 2012. In this "permanent campaign" environment, contenders are already poising themselves for a White House run. The brightest stars in the GOP? Those who have most recently been outspoken critics of the economic stimulus package signed by President Obama. But members of the Republican Congress are not the ones getting all the limelight. It is their gubernatorial counterparts, many of whom have expressed interest in rejecting any stimulus money for their state. They include rising GOP star Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal (only 37 years old), Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty (who recently said he will consider what to do with any money given to his state), and Governor Mark Sanford of South Carolina (who, by geography could already be considered a heavyweight).

However, the list does not stop with those who oppose the measure. Florida Governor Charlie Crist of Florida, another possible contender for a GOP White House run in 2012, has voiced support for the stimulus in his state. But lest we forget, the American electorate has a very short attention span in the world of Presidential politics. What happens today can easily be overshadowed tomorrow. In four years, who supported the stimulus and who did may no longer be relevant. Why the sudden opposition by such people as Governor Jindal? He claims that taking the stimulus money puts the states in a situation to be mandated to continue programs created by the stimulus after the federal money is gone, at the states' expense.

What is to make of the field beginning to take shape? Jindal, Pawlenty, Sanford, Crist. Two big names are missing from the list: Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, and former Governor Mitt Romney (two people believed to be the "future leaders of the party"). Such a field represents almost every corner of America. A visible decentralized party emerges to pick up the pieces left over from 2008, and these governors are ready to carry the GOP torch. Jindal says he will seek reelection for governor in 2011. Other governors are not even speculating. But rest assured, Sarah Palin's absence from the National Governors Association meeting was strategically planned. For her, she needs to balance staying a national figure while attempting to not burn out interest.

There are a series of interesting things to look for:

1. Governor Bobby Jindal is scheduled to make the GOP response speech after President Obama addresses Congress tonight. "America, meet Governor Bobby Jindal."
2. Will voters take a second look at Mitt Romney, the former business man-turned-governor whose conservatism may be the right balance for what GOP voters are looking for?
3. Can Governor Crist appeal to conservatives who feel his fiscal stance is no different than the incumbent? Is it irrelevant considering he is Governor of Florida, which would most likely make him a frontrunner?
4. How will Sarah Palin (and the effects of her new "SarahPAC") fare in a field of new, fresh, conservative faces? Will she still maintain the base support as she did in 2008, or will it shift to a Bobby Jindal candidate?
5. Will the GOP default to the traditional southern candidate by supporting Governor Mark Sanford of South Carolina? Be reminded that the Democrats stripped off Virginia and North Carolina in 2008.