GOP Candidates Prepare for Coming Elections

By: Megan Carpenter

The next election for President of the United States isn’t until November 2012. However, this past summer various politicians officially entered themselves into the running for the Republican ticket. It can be hard to keep track of who is in, who is out, and which guy is which, but thankfully this article is ready to lend a hand.

Ladies and gentlemen, may I present possibly the next president of the United States of America and some people who, for sure, won’t be.

Rick Perry

Rick Perry is the governor of Texas, and according to his campaign website, a “true conservative.” It was August 13 of this year that Perry entered himself into the running by declaring, “It’s time to get America working again.”

Perry grew up on a small Texas farm and did a stint in the U.S. Air Force after graduating from Texas A&M University. Perry became Governor of Texas in 2000 when then-Governor George W. Bush became president. He has been reelected three times. As Governor, 61-year-old Perry has cut spending and created jobs for the state of Texas.

Mitt Romney

Mitt Romney is the former governor of Massachusetts. Also a proven successful business man, Romney officially threw his hat into the ring in June of this year. After earning degrees from Brigham Young University, Harvard Law, and Harvard Business School, Romney worked as a business consultant and eventually founded investment firm Bain Capital.

Romney, who is originally from Detroit, was elected governor of Massachusetts – a typically democratic state – in 2002. During his stint as Governor, Romney eliminated a $3 billion dollar deficit for the state. Shortly before becoming Governor, Romney gained notoriety for successfully running the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah. Running for president isn’t a new concept for Romney, who also ran in 2008. Romney’s religion has been a concern for voters as the 64-year-old is a Mormon.

Michele Bachmann

Michele Bachmann is a congresswoman from Minnesota. The 55-year-old has seen strong support from Tea Party activists. As it stands, Bachmann’s appeal hasn’t extended yet far beyond the Tea Party.Bachmann announced her bid for the candidacy in June of this year.

Before being elected to the U.S. Congress, Bachmann served a stint in the Minnesota State Senate. The congresswoman has received degrees from Winona State University, Oral Roberts University and the College of William and Mary.

Others

Other politicians who have officially entered their name for the Republican nomination include former U.S. Ambassador Jon Huntsman, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, Texas Congressman Ron Paul, former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum, businessman Herman Cain, Michigan Congressman Thaddeus McCotter, former Governor of Louisiana Charles Elson Roemer III and former United Nations Ambassador John Bolton.

At the most recent Republican Presidential Debate on September seventh, eight of the candidates participated including Michele Bachmann, Herman Cain, Newt Gingrich, Jon Huntsman, Ron Paul, Rick Perry, Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum. The two frontrunners after the debate appear to be Rick Perry and Mitt Romney.

There have been rumors about a possible presidential race entry from former Alaska Governor and 2008 Vice Presidential candidate, Sarah Palin.

Though she herself has hinted at it, an official announcement has not yet been made.

Despite speculation, those definitely not running for president include Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels, real estate mogul Donald Trump, former Arizona Governor Mike Huckabee, Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour, South Dakota Senator John Thune, Indiana Congressman Mike Pence, South Carolina Senator Jim DeMint, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush (also the younger brother of former president George W. Bush), Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, former New York Governor George Pataki and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

The Iowa caucus will be on February 6, 2012. This is the first major event of the nomination process for a party candidate for President. Despite what various straw polls are showing now, that will be the event to watch in the nomination process.