News
2012 Republican Declared and Potential Presidential Candidates
A look at the declared and potential candidates running in the 2012 U.S. Presidential elections.
1
Mitt Romney. Former Massachusetts governor and current front runner for the 2012 nomination, Romney lost the nomination to John McCain in 2008. Touts background in business but faces criticism from conservatives over his health care program in Massachu
2
Rick Perry. Texas Governor is running in second or third place in most public opinion polls behind Romney. Perry has a strong record of job creation in Texas and appeals to economic and social conservatives, key voting blocs within the party. (Patrick S
3
Michele Bachmann. Congresswoman from Minnesota. Known for her ability to excite crowds and popular with Evangelical Christians and Tea Party conservatives. (Brian Snyder / Reuters)
4
Newt Gingrich. Former U.S. House speaker and congressman from Georgia. Gingrich is known as an "ideas man" within the Republican Party and an Obama foreign policy critic, but has had some early stumbles in his campaign. (Jason Reed / Reuters)