CNN Political Ticker
984 days ago

CNN Poll: No frontrunner in GOP 2012 presidential race

mug.steinhauser

WASHINGTON (CNN) – A new national poll of Republicans suggests that there's no front runner at this extremely early moment in the next race for the White House.

Three possible candidates are all bunched at the top of a CNN/Opinion Research
Corporation survey released Tuesday.

The survey suggests that 22 percent of Republicans would most likely support former Arkansas governor and former GOP presidential candidate Mike Huckabee for their party's presidential nomination in 2012. Twenty-one percent say they would most likely back Alaska governor and 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin, with an equal number supporting former Massachusetts governor and former White House hopeful Mitt Romney.

Taking into account the poll's 4.5 percent sampling error, Huckabee, Palin and Romney seem to be locked in a hypothetical dead heat.

The poll indicates that 13 percent of Republicans would back former House Speaker Newt Gingrich in 2012, with 6 percent supporting former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. Ten percent of those questioned say they would most likely back someone else.

"The Republicans have three very well known candidates. No one is a clear favorite among the three. The race appears to be wide open at this very early date," says CNN Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider.

"Republicans typically nominate someone familiar who's run for president before, such as Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bob Dole, and John McCain. But since the party appears to be in trouble right, Republicans might want to do what Democrats typically do, and look for a fresh face," adds Schneider.

The poll's release comes on the same day that Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty announced that he won't run next year for a third term. Pawlenty's decision to avoid a potentially difficult re-election bid in 2010 is seen by some political analysts as the first step in a possible presidential run in 2012.

The poll's release also comes as Romney's recent schedule gives the impresison of a man intent on running for the White House again. On Monday, Romney criticized the Obama administration over national security at a speech sponsored by the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. Friday he was the keynote speaker at a major Republican Party dinner in Virginia. He's campaigned recently for GOP gubernatorial candidates in Virginia and New Jersey, and he's a frequent guest on cable news programs and Sunday talk shows.

Asked Sunday about a bid in 2012, Romney told Fox News that "I'm not going to close that door" - although, he added, "I'm not going to walk through it either."

The CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll was conducted May 14-17, with 1,010 adult Americans questioned by telephone. The survey's sampling error for Republican presidential nomination question is plus or minus 4.5 percentage points.


Filed under: GOP
soundoff (153 Responses)
  1. GOP = 21st century dodo

    I know it's too early and all, but hopefully they go with Huckabee or Palin, because their campaigns will be 10x as silly as McCain's.

    June 2, 2009 03:19 pm at 3:19 pm |
  2. Randolph Carter

    Has it really come to this? Eternal campaigning by both parties? I guess that means Wal-Mart's is going to be putting up the Christmas decorations next week. I think I'm gonna puke. Have a nice day!

    June 2, 2009 03:20 pm at 3:20 pm |
  3. Melissa

    Notice that every single person named on that list is an extremist. Not one of them are moderates. Rather frightening.

    June 2, 2009 03:21 pm at 3:21 pm |
  4. Mich

    That's ok anyone could beat this mickey mouse of a president. But wait if we wait long enough Obama will break the country on the economy, and no one will run against the GOP

    June 2, 2009 03:21 pm at 3:21 pm |
  5. Melissa

    You do realize that its only 4 months into this administration, right? Why are they even campaigning right now? The Democrats didn't behave like this when Bush was elected, so why are the Republicans? Its childish. The Republicans need to learn to try to better the country, not continue to constantly fight among everyone, including themselves, like snapping dogs.

    June 2, 2009 03:22 pm at 3:22 pm |
  6. Fair is Fair

    Mitt can pull it off. Huckabee as his running mate.

    June 2, 2009 03:23 pm at 3:23 pm |
  7. John in Ohio

    Oh gawd.

    June 2, 2009 03:24 pm at 3:24 pm |
  8. Jeff

    I hopethe Repukes file chapter 11 like the junk dealers in Detroit.

    June 2, 2009 03:25 pm at 3:25 pm |
  9. Fort Lauderdale

    None of these people will be the candidate. There will be a fresher face. It will be a Conservative one, but not a fuddy-duddy.

    By the time Obama finishes buying up the rest of America's failed corporations, and printing money till we're out of paper, Conservatism will be "in again". It's a shame, but that's my prediction. Oops, I forgot. Obama's attempts at accommodating and appeasing every tyrant from Chavez to Ahmadinejad will also undoubtedly lead to a resurgence of support from the GOP. The Democrats themselves will bring about the resurrection of the Republican Party which surely would have been helpless to do it by itself.

    June 2, 2009 03:25 pm at 3:25 pm |
  10. Dustin

    Oh please please please let it be Palin... I miss the great SNL shorts....

    June 2, 2009 03:25 pm at 3:25 pm |
  11. Mark

    Romeny/Palin 2012!!!! Perfect for this country.

    June 2, 2009 03:26 pm at 3:26 pm |
  12. Hope

    Forget it look at 2016 and even then we will vote for Hillary Clinton.

    June 2, 2009 03:27 pm at 3:27 pm |
  13. Dutch/Bad Newz, VA

    Gov. Pawlenty should have never let the Franken/Coleman fiasco drag out this long when he could have declared Franken the Minnesota senator. That wil cost him dearly. No wonder he doesn't want to run for office next year because he knows he's going to lose.

    June 2, 2009 03:27 pm at 3:27 pm |
  14. Jimmy the Greek

    At the rate Obama is going (spending us into oblivion, coddling muslims and alienating Israel, non-action with North Korea & Iran, etc), Rush Limbaugh could win 2012!!

    June 2, 2009 03:28 pm at 3:28 pm |
  15. shucks

    I think it should be LIMBAUGH!

    June 2, 2009 03:29 pm at 3:29 pm |
  16. Fitz in Texas

    Oh wow, please let this be right. Nothing sounds better for the Democrats than Huckabee/Palin 2012.

    That will gaurantee Republican defeat and give President Obama some more time to clean up the mess that repugs made over the last eight years.

    Plus more funny skits on SNL!

    June 2, 2009 03:29 pm at 3:29 pm |
  17. phoenix86

    By the time we get to 2012, the voters will go with anyone but Obama. My bet is that Obama won't win the democratic primary in 2012 (another first for Barack).

    June 2, 2009 03:29 pm at 3:29 pm |
  18. Johnny DC

    Wow, wouldn't CNN just love to prematurely anoint the next GOP candidate so they can get a head start on publishing all of the things they don't like about him or her while it's already falsely convinced the sheep that the GOP is somehow only interested in power and the rich.

    Doesn't matter. The GOP definitely loses in 2012 and definitely wins in 2016. Can't blame us for all of the problems for three straight elections... enough of America will learn this by 2016.

    June 2, 2009 03:29 pm at 3:29 pm |
  19. B Davis

    Barack Obama can win easily over Palin, Huckabee or Romney and without even spending a nickle. PLA'SEEEE.

    June 2, 2009 03:30 pm at 3:30 pm |
  20. Patrick - Indianapolis

    Hopeful or not, 2 of the 3 stand no chance at getting anyone but far right conservatives to vote for them. While Romney is the best choice of the three, he will have a hard time getting the far right conservative vote because his religion is not aligned with theirs.

    All three of these people are really quite silly. I really hope the Republican party splits because we do need some competitive nature to our politics. We really need something like 3-5 parties that can stand out and have the support of the media, very much unlike the last election.

    Can you name any of the other candidates from the last election or the party they represented? Its a shame we have to rely on our crippled media. We can do so much better than this.

    June 2, 2009 03:30 pm at 3:30 pm |
  21. Kansan

    PLEASE PLEASE Nominate Palin...we all need a good laugh...Obama would be a shoe in for sure if Palin is their choice.

    Wow, the fact that Palin is even a consideration shows how crazy & out of touch these people are.

    June 2, 2009 03:30 pm at 3:30 pm |
  22. Claudia in Houson

    They might as well add Jeb Bush to this bunch of losers, he couldn't be any worse.

    June 2, 2009 03:32 pm at 3:32 pm |
  23. Mike

    We couldn't come up with someone better than Newt Gingrich, Huckabee, Palin and Romney ???

    This got be a joke!

    June 2, 2009 03:32 pm at 3:32 pm |
  24. DebM, Allentown, PA

    OMG Mark at 3:26...I do believe I've just thrown up in my mouth a bit at your comment.

    June 2, 2009 03:32 pm at 3:32 pm |
  25. doninredneckia

    Honestly, what we are witnessing is the transformation of the GOP. The traditional Republicans will eventually be forced to either purge their party of the neo-cons or leave and form their own party. They'll most probably choose to do nothing this cycle and just watch as Huckabee and/or Palin make a run on the White House and fail miserably. At the latest then, in 2013 or so, the Rush-led far-right will either inherit the GOP or be forced to form the modern-day equivalent of the Know-Nothing Party. That will be a good thing; they deserve total control of the fringes.

    June 2, 2009 03:33 pm at 3:33 pm |
  26. SLM

    Time to come up with a viable candidate. The circus we have now needs to leave in 2012, the far left is rapidly destroying this country. The latest news road projects will be out of funding by August and they need another 5-7 billion, their solution more federal gas taxes. Yup folks, the change you voted for is coming in the form of higher taxes. Did you really believe 95% of Americans were going to get a tax break?

    June 2, 2009 03:33 pm at 3:33 pm |
  27. Kwesoe

    Republicans don't have to run in the next election. They should just sit and watch a good show. To run would be like thinking about unthinkable things the democratic way. Why recycle the same ole folks just for the fun of defeat?

    June 2, 2009 03:33 pm at 3:33 pm |
  28. Pete

    I can see it now. Gingrich and Palin in 2012. Or maybe Limbaugh and Palin. Or better yet, Palin and Gingrich. Not much to choose from in that group. Bobby Jindal? Mitt Romney? John Boehner? How about Dick Cheney and Michele Backman?! As long as the Republicans keep whining and sounding like paranoid war hawks, their chances of winning anything other than local elections are slim. They must find someone that can speak intelligently on issues, can put forth a message of unity and pragmatism. The American people tired of the racist, supremacist rhetoric of the last 8 years, and that is why the GOP was crushed last November. The American people have advanced beyond the rantings of Cheney, beyond the simple-minded gibberish of W, and beyond the politics of hate. We want solutions, not threats. We want intelligence and foresight, not the politics of Joe McCarthy. The Republicans have been tied to the coat tails of the extreme right for so long that they have no one else to lead. And the icing on the cake is that the extreme right doesn't realize that their views have been rejected, that they have been exposed as frauds, and that the American people don't have time for their nonsense.

    June 2, 2009 03:33 pm at 3:33 pm |
  29. Teleprompter of the U.S.A.

    "The Democrats didn't behave like this when Bush was elected, so why are the Republicans?"

    Are you freaking serious? The Democrats threw a hissy fit over "Bush stealing the election" – Clinton refused to brief Bush on anything and refused to release the transition money.

    Then 9/11 happened and the Dems were calling Bush a coward and they were demanding he do something by that Saturday.

    The Democrats were hardly acting like grownups after 2000.

    June 2, 2009 03:34 pm at 3:34 pm |
  30. Jay Davenport

    The two-party system is only going to work if both parties are viable. For Republicans to promote three candidates that have already lost is insane. Palin drug McCain down and has absolutely no chance to win the general election. Romney and Huckabee lost on their own already. If you remember, McCain had the nomination wrapped up by Super Tuesday, so how Republicans are touting the two candidates that were the victims of that slaughter is beyond me. That party needs a new idea, and it ain't Bobby Jindal. Hopefully, it's way too early to identify the next set of candidates, because if these three battle it out in 2012, it's going to be quite the embarrassment.

    June 2, 2009 03:34 pm at 3:34 pm |
  31. Steph

    Instead of worrying about who is going to run in 2012, they should all focus on getting things back on track first. Anyone who is busy campaigning now and not helping repair this damaged nation shouldn't be allowed to run for any office.

    June 2, 2009 03:34 pm at 3:34 pm |
  32. Ennis, LA

    Huckabee? They're kidding. Obama will eat this country bumpkin alive.
    His anti-mormon views are sure to polarize the GOP if he and Mitt
    Romney vie for their party's nomination. Huckabee is no uniter and should remain a Fox talk show host!

    June 2, 2009 03:34 pm at 3:34 pm |
  33. Teleprompter of the U.S.A.

    "They might as well add Jeb Bush to this bunch of losers, he couldn't be any worse."

    Not one of them is worse than the loser right now in the White House.

    June 2, 2009 03:35 pm at 3:35 pm |
  34. Had It

    Please let it be Palin – I sure miss the trailer trash jokes - or maybe Huck - he's a joke all by himself.

    Oh - wait – it has to be Mittens - President Mittens and all his female kittens move into the multi-wives house.

    June 2, 2009 03:35 pm at 3:35 pm |
  35. Enough

    Anyone Republican has to be better than this train wreck the Democrats are creating with our country. This change is bankrupting the country. Is that really what you voted for?

    June 2, 2009 03:35 pm at 3:35 pm |
  36. Peace

    Just only 21%!!!!! Are not these people who are listening to Rush Limbaugh!! The road to the White House is millions miles away to the Republicans.

    June 2, 2009 03:35 pm at 3:35 pm |
  37. tn mom

    Isn't this a little premature? Besides, didn't Palin learn her lesson already? How anyone with an IQ above 70 could even consider voting for her is beyond me.
    I personally think Obama is doing a fantastic job. He is actually addressing issues instead of hiding from them (ie Bush during Katrina anyone?)...and more than one at a time!

    Obama/ Biden '12

    June 2, 2009 03:36 pm at 3:36 pm |
  38. J

    Shocking!!! Considering we JUST finished with that last Presidential Election...

    For the love of everything holy.. STOP with your garbage and just report actual News!!!

    DOOOOOOOOOOCHES!!!!!!!!!!

    June 2, 2009 03:37 pm at 3:37 pm |
  39. Sniffit

    Well duh...all the GOP bigshots are out there blabbering equally ridiculous and spiteful nonsense, so how could there be a frontrunner? It's a race to see who can start acting rational first.

    June 2, 2009 03:38 pm at 3:38 pm |
  40. Paul from Phoenix

    So? Hillary and Giuliani were the heavy front runners until December '07. Polls today mean nothing about the 2012 race.

    June 2, 2009 03:38 pm at 3:38 pm |
  41. republicans hate america

    let Rush Limbaugh be their candidate he seems to have all the answers to fix everything.

    June 2, 2009 03:38 pm at 3:38 pm |
  42. fella from Chicago

    To Fort Lauderdale:

    Couldn't agree with you more. Politics like the economy runs in cycles and the Dems will do more than anything or anyone else to allow the Republicans back in power.

    June 2, 2009 03:38 pm at 3:38 pm |
  43. Kelby In Houston, TX

    Do you know how you can tell this is a slow news day? See the headline above. We aren't even talking current events. We're talking about peoples dreams of the future. there isn't ANYTHING going on today...NICE :)

    June 2, 2009 03:39 pm at 3:39 pm |
  44. Dutch/Bad Newz, VA

    They all need to stop campaigning like the election is next year and focus on getting the country back on track. Although I don't support him, but I commend Gov. Jindal from staying out of the spotlight and focusing on the people of Louisiana. Unlike Palin, Pawlenty and Huckabee. None of them stand a chance.

    Here's a word of advice to the Republican Party.
    COLIN POWELL IS YOUR LEADER!!!

    June 2, 2009 03:39 pm at 3:39 pm |
  45. Tatianna

    When will CNN conduct a poll on 2012 presidential democrat candidates.

    June 2, 2009 03:39 pm at 3:39 pm |
  46. alvino

    Mich-

    Do you read what you write?

    June 2, 2009 03:39 pm at 3:39 pm |
  47. Teleprompter of the U.S.A.

    "President Mittens and all his female kittens move into the multi-wives house."

    Mitt at least can speak without a teleprompter. When I'm not around, Obama speaks like this...

    "Um, uh, uh, um, uh, uh, um, uh.um, uh, um, uh, uh, uh....."

    President Stutterer.

    June 2, 2009 03:40 pm at 3:40 pm |
  48. Aurelie

    Frontrunner ? You mean back runner ...

    June 2, 2009 03:40 pm at 3:40 pm |
  49. Turnabout is Fair Play

    Mich June 2nd, 2009 3:21 pm ET

    That's ok anyone could beat this mickey mouse of a president. But wait if we wait long enough Obama will break the country on the economy, and no one will run against the GOP
    ------------------------

    Keep dreaming idiot. That Disney "Goofy" of a president that just left has ruined it for you joke of a party for YEARS to come.

    June 2, 2009 03:41 pm at 3:41 pm |
  50. republicans hate america

    I just can not wait to vote for Obama again thats right my votes is already planned for him.

    June 2, 2009 03:42 pm at 3:42 pm |
  51. Tatianna

    When will CNN conduct a poll on 2012 presidential democrat candidates. Public opinion can be very fickle. People say one thing then do something different.

    June 2, 2009 03:42 pm at 3:42 pm |
  52. luan isuffi

    Those arrogant and incompetent morons have a ice cube in hell chance for president in next five elections thanks to idiot George,
    lier Cheney and junkie Rush.

    June 2, 2009 03:43 pm at 3:43 pm |
  53. alvino

    Any GOP candidate on the list so far is just more of the same circus we had for 8 years under the boys of torture. Americans lucked out when Obama was elected, and I cannot imagine anyone of the party of "NO!" beating him in 2012.

    June 2, 2009 03:43 pm at 3:43 pm |
  54. S M R

    Non of these clowns have a chance by the way the Bush Administration left our Country. They defend policies that didn't work and will never work. Obama 2012 and Clinton 2016 and 2020 is the only way that we will totally recover from the crooked Bush / Cheney 8 years.

    June 2, 2009 03:43 pm at 3:43 pm |
  55. John in Ohio

    "That's ok anyone could beat this mickey mouse of a president."

    Keep thinking that. Keep losing elections.

    June 2, 2009 03:43 pm at 3:43 pm |
  56. Sniffit

    @ Mich, who said "That's ok anyone could beat this mickey mouse of a president. But wait if we wait long enough Obama will break the country on the economy, and no one will run against the GOP"

    Shining example of how delusional the GOPers are at this point:

    1. The No. 1 thing that scares the GOP about Obama is that he campaigns like a champ, wins hearts and minds and gets people to believe in him. If Mickey Mouse kicked your neocon butts so bad in 2008, what does that make you?

    2. No matter how much you repeat that he's ruining the economy, everyone else (at least those with brains in their heads) will be paying attention to the experts, statistics and news reports indicating that things are getting better. You're not going to convince peopel to believe he ruined the economy when the DOW has risen from when he took office, the S&P 500 is leveling off near where it was when he took office and getting better, and the rate at which unemployment is growing has started to slow.

    Next.

    June 2, 2009 03:43 pm at 3:43 pm |
  57. John McCain

    I'm still available.

    June 2, 2009 03:43 pm at 3:43 pm |
  58. beth

    Why is 2012 being discussed? Shouldn't all Americans (Democrats, Republicans, Independents) be focusing on fixing the economy and not worrying about winning the next election?

    June 2, 2009 03:43 pm at 3:43 pm |
  59. KJ, CA

    Seriously, do we really have to listen to this for three years. Our current President just got elected – Can we at least wait one more year, or better yet get through the 2010 elections completely, before we start speculating about the people running for President in 2012?

    June 2, 2009 03:44 pm at 3:44 pm |
  60. Angie in Pa

    Once again the Republicans are Only focusing on one thing getting back in power hey Republicans what about the Problems of today? Are you ever gonna care about the People and the Country or only your party?

    June 2, 2009 03:44 pm at 3:44 pm |
  61. Randolph Carter

    Teleprompter wrote:
    "President Mittens and all his female kittens move into the multi-wives house."
    Mitt at least can speak without a teleprompter. When I'm not around, Obama speaks like this…
    "Um, uh, uh, um, uh, uh, um, uh.um, uh, um, uh, uh, uh….."
    President Stutterer.

    And then he gets busy fixing all of the problems created by bible-thumping, trickle down idiots. Have a nice day!

    June 2, 2009 03:45 pm at 3:45 pm |
  62. Bridgette

    Don't buy Hummer's. Don't buy Hummer's. Don't buy Hummer's. Boycott Hummer's. We have to take our country back.

    June 2, 2009 03:45 pm at 3:45 pm |
  63. Obama Victim

    the country will be such deplorable shape by then, the Repubs will line up to replace this loser..............only three years, 7 months to go

    June 2, 2009 03:46 pm at 3:46 pm |
  64. FAUXYTALE NEWS CHANNEL BY NEWSCRAP CORP.

    Let me guess, they are all white and think Failin' Palin is hot, Huckahasbeen is God's right hand, Newt is an evolved form of Rushcheneycon lifeform and Romney in his magic underpants is actually going to save them on his Momo planet in the great beyond.

    June 2, 2009 03:46 pm at 3:46 pm |
  65. anderson n carolina

    ENOUGH 3:35... I got exactly what I voted for! An intelligent and caring President who isn't out to bully the world. I have faith that the economic decisions he has made will turn this country around after the 8 years of the trickle down economy Bush had. When the health care plan passes I will be dancing in the streets and so will millions of unisured Americans!

    June 2, 2009 03:46 pm at 3:46 pm |
  66. James, Phoenix AZ

    Excuse me. Shouldn't we be focusing on the ECONOMY and other things before even thinking about the next election?

    By the way, I am always amused by the spelling, punctuaction and other misuses of the English language by the bloggers who tear Obama apart. It says volumes.

    June 2, 2009 03:47 pm at 3:47 pm |
  67. AJB

    Barring a disaster, I really don't think it matters who the gop runs. It just won't matter. The gop brand is still pretty toxic, and the blowhards deriding Sotomayor on their behalf isn't helping. They have no message, no leader – they've got nothing.

    In fact, I wish they'd focus on the task at hand right now and not be looking to 2012 – there's a lot that has to be done between now and then.

    June 2, 2009 03:48 pm at 3:48 pm |
  68. Proud Member..Party of No

    My dog could run and beat the current joke of a president that we have now.

    June 2, 2009 03:48 pm at 3:48 pm |
  69. Sniffit

    @ Tatianna, who asked "When will CNN conduct a poll on 2012 presidential democrat candidates."

    2016.

    June 2, 2009 03:48 pm at 3:48 pm |
  70. Dutch/Bad Newz, VA

    @ Fair and Fair

    A Romney/Huckabee ticket is like mixing oil and water...they just don't mix.

    June 2, 2009 03:48 pm at 3:48 pm |
  71. RCasson

    Obama will win in 2012 by a landslide. All three of these idiots are dreaming if they think they can beat him.

    June 2, 2009 03:48 pm at 3:48 pm |
  72. Kevin

    Operation Chaos 2: Vote for Palin in the primary

    June 2, 2009 03:50 pm at 3:50 pm |
  73. Kimberly

    Cool, three religious nut jobs. One thinks his sons are too good to serve in the military, one thinks we walked with dinosaurs, and one can see Russia from her state..HMMM, Obama must be shaking in his boots...HAHAHA

    June 2, 2009 03:51 pm at 3:51 pm |
  74. ANNY

    This is what the GOP has to offer????? Then get ready for another 4 year term for Obama, these 3 have already lost once in the last primary and election.......Obama can do pretty much what he wants to do for the next 3 and a half years and still beat the pants off of any of these 3 goobbers.......boy you republicans have let Rush and Newt scare off any real canidates and what they haven't done to screw up this party Cheney has

    June 2, 2009 03:51 pm at 3:51 pm |
  75. Robert J

    It seems the Republicans are trying to enhance their image by criticizing Pres Obama and the democratic party. Which for Dem's id GOOD. For Repugs it is defining who and what exactly was defeated when pres. Obama was elected. Wake up Rpeugs. you are a 1 in 5 minority with a similar IQ.

    June 2, 2009 03:51 pm at 3:51 pm |
  76. ghost

    It'll be a race to finish 2nd in the national election. Especially if things are on the rebound by 2011.

    June 2, 2009 03:52 pm at 3:52 pm |
  77. FJ from Atlanta

    they all suck!

    June 2, 2009 03:53 pm at 3:53 pm |
  78. John

    "That's ok anyone could beat this mickey mouse of a president."

    Yeah, you're probably right. It's not like he won by the largest margin of votes since 1980 or anything. Oh, wait...

    Huckabee, Palin, or Romney?

    If that's all the GOP has to offer, better start planning for 2016!

    June 2, 2009 03:53 pm at 3:53 pm |
  79. Greg Smith, Clifton Heights PA

    The Republicans have so many great leaders it is hard to decide who is the best. If Obama is the best the Democrats can offer we the Republicans are a definite winner in 2012.

    June 2, 2009 03:53 pm at 3:53 pm |
  80. John

    What are the Repugnents going to do? They can't find a head Lemming......
    "Flush" Limbaugh a winner...of the big fat, addicted, talking head award. What a joke that someone would even put his name up as a leader.
    You Repugnents are in a world of hurt!

    June 2, 2009 03:53 pm at 3:53 pm |
  81. Dawn in Pa

    Mitt and Sarah, what a religious extreme duo, one who wants the Pagan in me to disappear and the other go forth and multiply, and multiple wives. Freedom means freedom..

    @Teleprompter of the USA, get a life...Have you ever heard GWB talk, if not and you want to have a giggle, go to Bushism, there you would hear the most hilarious gaffs, and you think that Biden is a gaffer, W is funny, Biden just sticks his foot in his mouth... Please don't speak about a teleprompter, he writes his own and he looks at the people not at a piece of paper.

    June 2, 2009 03:53 pm at 3:53 pm |
  82. Deb

    An easy victory for Democrats I am sure.

    June 2, 2009 03:54 pm at 3:54 pm |
  83. Terry, Cape Coral, Florida

    Oh please, 22% of the GOP vote. That would be the enire conservative movement. 22% accounts for how many vote nationally? Um, about 20 million.... Beyond all of that, WHEN IS THE NEXT PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION??? 2012, why is CNN going with this right now???

    June 2, 2009 03:54 pm at 3:54 pm |
  84. nick

    The current Republican Party is still very much in doubt about their future.There is still 3.8 years to go on Pres.Obama´s 1st. term. Why not think about the "HOW" to get back on track, rather then the "WHO".
    I am positive that none of the names on this current , "FRONT RUNNER" poll are the leaders who can stop the Democratic frieght train. Huckabee and Palin are never going to get their Parties support as they are to extreame for our voting population at this time in our history. The rest seem to be a continuation of the recent past, which is not going to sway the voters, short of Obama making a very major blunder, like a criminal offence. They should be consentrating on good policy ideas rather then objecting to any democratic ideas. The party of, NO, stigma is going to be their downfall in 2012 if they do not start to contribute to our well being.

    June 2, 2009 03:54 pm at 3:54 pm |
  85. Shirley In California Now On The Fence Re Obama

    If Obama doesn't get his act together, I will definitely NOT be voting for him next time around. We will see who needs who?

    June 2, 2009 03:55 pm at 3:55 pm |
  86. PaulMoATX

    That's because we don't give a crap who the GOP is putting forth as front runners in 2012. Pawlenty, Jindal, Palin, and Sanford are not Presidential material and will get dominated by the President in 2012. Obama knows it, we the people know it, and the potential candidates know it also. We'll see you guys in 2016.

    June 2, 2009 03:55 pm at 3:55 pm |
  87. John

    "My dog could run and beat the current joke of a president that we have now."

    Yikes – I guess that 65% approval rating just doesn't matter, then?

    And nevermind the fact that Obama DID beat Huckabee, Romney, and Palin in the last election. They might be offended to learn they are worse than a dog...

    June 2, 2009 03:55 pm at 3:55 pm |
  88. Lisa B

    If that is seriously all they've got to offer, Obama (and our country) will enjoy a long and productive eight years.

    June 2, 2009 03:55 pm at 3:55 pm |
  89. GOP= GRUMPY OLD PEOPLE

    "teleprompter USA " obviously works for CNN they have posted on this page 4 times and they don't allow this, also they are a IDIOT!

    The people are sick and tired of the Rethuglicans inciting hatred, racism, lies and attacks on their country. We are all in this mess together and I nor anyone with an ounce of sense would wish for any President to fail so that they can get their party back in the forefront. Limp balls actually runs the Rethuglican party because he is the only one they are afraid to speak out against, they would rather allow him to make lunatic accusations that to stand up against him. They are a party of COWARDS and LIARS. The world hates this group of people and they better be glad Barack won because I beleive we would have been attacked by one of these foreign countries if another Retug would have won.

    Obama 2012' Biden?

    June 2, 2009 03:56 pm at 3:56 pm |
  90. Joe Terrogano

    Slim pickins (and I don't mean the actor). Even the dimished party is fractured. Just keep alienating people like Colin Powell, that was a master stroke of genius! Other thAn the deep south and pockets of conservatives, there is no real support. Obviously the Bush name has plumited like GM stock.

    June 2, 2009 03:57 pm at 3:57 pm |
  91. PaulMoATX

    Greg Smith, Clifton Heights PAThe Republicans have so many great leaders it is hard to decide who is the best. If Obama is the best the Democrats can offer we the Republicans are a definite winner in 2012.

    Earth to Greg, earth to Greg. Please put down the pipe and pay attention to what's going on in 2009. Thanks.

    June 2, 2009 03:57 pm at 3:57 pm |
  92. katiec

    Isn't this ridiculous?
    If the republicans continue on with their tactics, actions they will not even be around in 2012.

    June 2, 2009 03:59 pm at 3:59 pm |
  93. w.l. jones

    Remember Joe!

    June 2, 2009 03:59 pm at 3:59 pm |
  94. Turnabout is Fair Play

    Teleprompter of the U.S.A. June 2nd, 2009 3:35 pm ET

    "They might as well add Jeb Bush to this bunch of losers, he couldn't be any worse."

    Not one of them is worse than the loser right now in the White House.
    ---------------------

    Well, Ignorant Neo-con of the Right, If he's a loser, what does that say about McLame and Failin Palin whom he beat to become the PRESIDENT? Ignorant maggot, ACCEPT the fact that he is your master and you are his b!tch.

    June 2, 2009 03:59 pm at 3:59 pm |
  95. Angie in Pa

    Greg Smith says the Republicans have so many great leaders hahahahah lol hahahah WHO I ASK WHO?

    June 2, 2009 04:00 pm at 4:00 pm |
  96. Matthew

    @ Melissa who said, "Notice that every single person named on that list is an extremist. Not one of them are moderates. Rather frightening."

    You must have forgotten that Obama was deemed, "the most liberal senator in the senate?"

    now all of a sudden obama is a moderate? he's got you drinking the kool aid by the gallon! however, i will applaud obama for taking much of the same issues as President Bush, save a few, on national security issues. its easy to criticize when you're campaigning as opposed when you're in the oval office facing the tough decisions.

    If the economy does not rebound, Romney will win in 2012 against obama, no doubt about it.

    June 2, 2009 04:00 pm at 4:00 pm |
  97. Travis

    I think it's already safe to say this.......FOUR MORE YEARS!!!!!

    June 2, 2009 04:00 pm at 4:00 pm |
  98. Alex in Wisconsin

    I predict that the Republicans will try and hijack Obama's slogan of Change for the next election. Just as one has come to expect from the GOP, no original ideas for the new century. that's why people think they are democrat-lites and/or still living in the past.

    June 2, 2009 04:01 pm at 4:01 pm |
  99. Rob

    Whomever it will be, in 2012 he or she will a much welcome relief from the torture that will be Obama's one and only term in office.

    June 2, 2009 04:03 pm at 4:03 pm |
  100. CTGOP

    I'd love to see Giuliani go for it after he mops the floor with Cuomo/Patterson in the race for NY Governor. Once that is done Rudy will be back in the limelight. Notice he isnt stepping in front of the freight train like the rest of the gop'ers right now, he's playing it low key.
    GO RUDY2012!!!

    June 2, 2009 04:05 pm at 4:05 pm |
  101. Fenarkleman

    Meaghan McCain. 'Nuff said.

    June 2, 2009 04:05 pm at 4:05 pm |
  102. Pragmatic

    ... and these 3 "hot prospects"will have nothing more to offer than they did last year! The party of "no" – no solutions – no apologies for running the country off the rails – and a alternative budget proposal that was only 19 pages long – and without any numbers!!

    June 2, 2009 04:05 pm at 4:05 pm |
  103. Expat American

    Please....Sarah Palin as the front runner in 2012.

    When she is crushed....then the Conservative Christians Zealots, with their doctrine of racial and religious bigotry founded upon their American bastardization of European Christianity can be destroyed along with her.

    Wouldn’t it be beautiful if the Muslim-American vote defeated the Christian Right Party of Hatred?

    June 2, 2009 04:05 pm at 4:05 pm |
  104. NObama is our downfall

    The Republicans better hurry up and find someone to start campaigning.

    Obama has been campaigning for 2012 since November 08!!!! You will come to find that his "presidency" will be more like a 4 year campaign run.

    June 2, 2009 04:07 pm at 4:07 pm |
  105. David CA

    Anyone but Obama... I will even vote for Palin If I have too...

    June 2, 2009 04:08 pm at 4:08 pm |
  106. 4 and The Door

    Any one of them would have an unfair advantage over President Obama. As his administration has proven since day 1, the Democratic "ideology" doesn't work. Bailouts don't work. Uncontrolled spending doesn't work. A foreign policy based on apologies doesn't work. Making decisions before the details of implementing them doesn't work. When the votes are in, Nancy, Harry, Barry and Joe will not be working either, at least not in their current jobs.

    June 2, 2009 04:09 pm at 4:09 pm |
  107. Jerome

    I sure hope it's Palin as that would cement Obama in the Whitehouse for another 4 years to be followed by Clinton for another 8 years.

    June 2, 2009 04:09 pm at 4:09 pm |
  108. XOXOXO

    To All the Republicans....

    Please stop crying already and stop hating. You guys sound so despearate, that you'll just pick anyone.

    And remember this; Obama's cleaning the mess created by the Republicans.

    WAKE UP ALREADY....

    June 2, 2009 04:09 pm at 4:09 pm |
  109. donttreadonme

    Wow neo-libs commenting here forget that Repubs had the support of 47% of all voters last go around. This fact will become very relivant in 2012.

    While Obama will be tough to beat I am sure we will find a more electable candidate than John McCain.

    We only need a 3.1% swing.

    June 2, 2009 04:12 pm at 4:12 pm |
  110. the southern progressive

    why are they considering themselves "runners" at all.. who knows, maybe they will wake up with parkinsons disease and on the wrong side of progression and stem cell research.. they should be concentrating on the jobs they have now, if any.. and if they dont, then maybe they should go get one, before they tell the rest of us how to live our lives as we struggle from day to day.. must be nice, mitt..

    June 2, 2009 04:13 pm at 4:13 pm |
  111. PaulMoATX

    RobWhomever it will be, in 2012 he or she will a much welcome relief from the torture that will be Obama's one and only term in office.

    Whomever it is in 2012, I just hope they have better grammar than you. ;~)

    June 2, 2009 04:13 pm at 4:13 pm |
  112. buckwheat

    Republicans do not need to run in the next election. Wait around and let this change take place everyone was promised.That will be all it takes if we get all these freebees we been promised. I would like to know how these things will happen when 50 percent of the people have been keeping up the other 50 per cent and now we are out of a job. Probably will give the rest of the treasury away when he meets the Arabs this week. Seems he is partial to them for some strange reason-can't figure why.

    June 2, 2009 04:13 pm at 4:13 pm |
  113. luan isuffi

    We all know that inteligent people are mortal enemies for GOP morons and junkies.
    They have to have somebody like idiot George or stupid moosehunter Sarah to control them.

    June 2, 2009 04:15 pm at 4:15 pm |
  114. gl, Pittsburgh

    Sara Palin will give President Obama another 4 years. If she didn't bet him the first time what make the Repubicans thank she can bet him the second time. Most women have very low opinion about her views.

    June 2, 2009 04:15 pm at 4:15 pm |
  115. Mark - Obama/Biden 08

    The only hope the Republican'ts have is if Tom Ridge runs – but he wouldn't be crazy conservative enough for them, so here's to a couple more decades of Democratic rule (and I'm all for it).

    June 2, 2009 04:15 pm at 4:15 pm |
  116. Jason from NJ

    Front Runner????

    It's 2009! for God sakes!

    June 2, 2009 04:16 pm at 4:16 pm |
  117. Fitz in Texas

    Fitz in Texas June 2nd, 2009 3:29 pm ET

    Oh wow, please let this be right. Nothing sounds better for the Democrats than Huckabee/Palin 2012.

    That will gaurantee Republican defeat and give President Obama some more time to clean up the mess that repugs made over the last eight years.

    Plus more funny skits on SNL!
    ________________________________________________________

    Looks like someone decided to use my call name without my permission. Like I'm surprised. Guess I'll have to change now because of some JERK out there. Just the way these people like to work. They slither like SNAKES. Why don't you tell us who you really are if you have a spine!

    June 2, 2009 04:17 pm at 4:17 pm |
  118. Peter

    If Sarah Palin is the nominee, I question if any state would vote for her over Obama, Alaskans made a mistake, I hope they won't make the same mistake once more...

    June 2, 2009 04:17 pm at 4:17 pm |
  119. the southern progressive

    @Matthew June 2nd, 2009 4:00 pm ET

    he's got you drinking the kool aid by the gallon!

    ____________________________________________________

    why is it that those on the left say those on the right are koolaid drinkers , and those on the right say those on the left are koolaid drinkers... guess that means, everyone is drinking koolaid, except for those in the middle.... long live the moderates.

    June 2, 2009 04:17 pm at 4:17 pm |
  120. ALL I CAN DO IS BLAME SOMEBODY ELSE FOR MY OWN PROBLEMS IN LIFE

    You people all talk about hate, what about obama sitting in Rev. Wrights church for 20 years and the spew he sold to his flock??

    June 2, 2009 04:18 pm at 4:18 pm |
  121. gl, Pittsburgh

    Taking into account the poll's 4.5 percent sampling error, Huckabee, Palin and Romney seem to be locked in a hypothetical dead heat.

    What a sad pick. Palin cause McCain to lose, Romney couldn't be Mcain in the Premiary and Huckabee is a religion fruit cake.

    June 2, 2009 04:18 pm at 4:18 pm |
  122. changing my screen name to see if it help getting my comments posted

    Good, because there shouldn't be. It's 200f-ing9! We are not even 6 months into Obama's term. Can't we get a break from Presidential elections?

    Next thing you know there will be articles discussing who the front runner for the 2020 election is.

    June 2, 2009 04:18 pm at 4:18 pm |
  123. TimD

    This doesn't look that good for Romney, Gingrich or Huckabee. They've been all over TV and other media practically 24/7 (at least a a few times a day on cable news). I haven't seen anything of Palin for several months-nada. If she can remain in a dead heat by being a stealth candidate, she may well pull ahead if and when she surfaces.

    June 2, 2009 04:19 pm at 4:19 pm |
  124. John B. From New Hampshire

    i love it! all "winners" here! haha... this democrat sits back with a HUGE grin! GOP your days are over... you F*CKED this country up enough! time for us to fix it once again as we did after the first bush! as my stepsister would say,"the only bush i trust is my own" lol Here, Here!!

    June 2, 2009 04:20 pm at 4:20 pm |
  125. Greg Smith, Clifton Heights PA

    Only idiots vote Democrats. The Republican party is the SMART PARTY.

    June 2, 2009 04:23 pm at 4:23 pm |
  126. JML

    GOP try finding someone in ranks who is an actual LIVE human and not a programmed robot.

    June 2, 2009 04:24 pm at 4:24 pm |
  127. Gary of El Centro, Ca

    Palin, Huckabee, and Romney? These people are frontrunners? Is that a joke? Sounds like the cast for a new Three Stooges movie if you ask me.

    June 2, 2009 04:25 pm at 4:25 pm |
  128. Fla.

    I would not vote for any of them. Palin & Huckabee are too fundamentalist in their approach to governing. Romney is too inconsistent with his ever-shifting positions, and Newt is too hypocritical. No thank you.

    Although it is WAY too early to be talking about this, President Obama would have my support, hands down.

    June 2, 2009 04:26 pm at 4:26 pm |
  129. smartest FL voter

    It matters little who is running. The genus's who put Bush up have cost a lifetime of votes for the majority of Americans.

    June 2, 2009 04:27 pm at 4:27 pm |
  130. David

    Palin in 2012, please, please, please

    We need some more laughs from her and more lessons about how to speak intelligibly.

    June 2, 2009 04:34 pm at 4:34 pm |
  131. JT

    The GOP is on life-support. Nobody that has been in the media for them is strong enough to even win a couple of states. But, by all means, spend the money to run them.

    June 2, 2009 04:34 pm at 4:34 pm |
  132. GOPer

    Thank God the Palin 15 minutes ran up!

    June 2, 2009 04:34 pm at 4:34 pm |
  133. Jerry, St. Louis

    Is it too much to ask for: Limbaugh & Rove running for the Republican nomination? Boy would that be fun! ! !

    June 2, 2009 04:35 pm at 4:35 pm |
  134. JB Cal

    Teleprompter of the U.S.A.-"They might as well add Jeb Bush to this bunch of losers, he couldn't be any worse."

    Not one of them is worse than the loser right now in the White House
    -------------------------------–
    Actually, if he's in the White House, that would make him a winner. Where are your loser picks? Oh yeah, hanging with you.

    June 2, 2009 04:36 pm at 4:36 pm |
  135. Kevin Denver Colorado

    Greg I see you are all over the place.Only idiots vote Democrats. The Republican party is the SMART PARTY.

    Yea, thats why the majority of college educated professionals are registered democrats. Of course by smart I guess you mean bible smart???? Can you use those word together in a sentence?? i don't think so.

    June 2, 2009 04:37 pm at 4:37 pm |
  136. John

    You guys must withold all of the people who would say Ron Paul. This forum would be litered with his name if you didn't.

    I know his supporters will be a force to deal with. If Ron Paul isn't given the shot or if his (the real Republican) ideas aren't entertained, we'll throw the race again like we did in 2008.

    We warned you all to pick Ron Paul in 2008, you didn't, so we blew off McCain. Don't make the same mistake twice.

    June 2, 2009 04:38 pm at 4:38 pm |
  137. Ricky

    We are not even into the first year of Obama...and we are thinking about 2012? Please...

    June 2, 2009 04:40 pm at 4:40 pm |
  138. Beverly in NC

    Of course the Republican Party has no "frontrunner" for 2012! They have NO viable leaders in their Party at all! They have no ideas, no common beliefs, and definitely no credible leadership. If they still exist in 2012 I will be shocked. Nobody they have now is close to being "electable". They are out in the wilderness and getting more lost every day.

    June 2, 2009 04:41 pm at 4:41 pm |
  139. shucks

    Romney / Palin 2012. I laughed so hard I peed myself.

    June 2, 2009 04:42 pm at 4:42 pm |
  140. Jim

    Question: How dumb can the Republicans possibly be? Answer: Sarah Palin is the frontrunner for the 2012 nomination!

    June 2, 2009 04:43 pm at 4:43 pm |
  141. Kevin Denver Colorado

    Don't worry repub's our glorious president will save you too.... whether you deserve it or not.

    I've not seen a single republican with the intellect to wash Obama's car let alone compete on any REAL level.

    June 2, 2009 04:43 pm at 4:43 pm |
  142. KirksNoseHair

    Greg Smith, Clifton Heights PA June 2nd, 2009 4:23 pm ET

    Only idiots vote Democrats. The Republican party is the SMART PARTY.

    =========================================================

    uh, huh, yeah, um, ok LMAO......you just lost by the biggest margin in history, son. You may want to consider dialing back your arrogance just a wee bit.

    June 2, 2009 04:43 pm at 4:43 pm |
  143. Tim, Seattle

    I hear they are working on a plan to exhume Reagans corpse with a Karl Rove voice-over and run it for president.

    May as well, there arent any GOP leaders that are living...lol

    GOP–Moderate or die....its that simple

    June 2, 2009 04:43 pm at 4:43 pm |
  144. I give up

    cheney/limbaugh 2012

    June 2, 2009 04:45 pm at 4:45 pm |
  145. Brian G, Sugar Land, TX

    No front runner, but there are a lot of behinds.

    June 2, 2009 04:45 pm at 4:45 pm |
  146. Jayden,FL

    The GOP is almost done!

    June 2, 2009 04:46 pm at 4:46 pm |
  147. Expat American

    Greg Smith, Clifton Heights PA June 2nd, 2009 4:23 pm ET
    Only idiots vote Democrats. The Republican party is the SMART PARTY.
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    You're absolutely right. There is no better evidence than the video clips of Palin supporters at their rallies....I remember, one Republican accused President Obama of being a Muslim and a terrorist, and when asked to show evidence to support his argument, he didn't know what else to say! Smart Party is debatable. But thanks to the global media, the world was laughing at GOP supporters like you!!

    June 2, 2009 04:47 pm at 4:47 pm |