"Help us Hillary, you're our only hope."

[NHI]

President Obama's approval rating dipped below 40%. Some Democrats were outraged at the news and began calling for another candidate to emerge. Among the candidates on the Republicans side, Romney, Huntsman, Gingrich and even Perry were beating Obama handily. However, despite the anger towards Obama most ardent liberals believed there would be no challenge for the nomination.

"It's August, we're a year out before votes are cast. The Congress certainly has played a role, but we'll be fine." -- David Axelrod

The likely choice for many over Obama.

When asked if Clinton were going to mount a bid against Obama, the Secretary of State repeatedly responded, "No way." But as the aftermath of the credit downgrade, the debt deal and the faults of Obama's own leadership, his approvals began to sink even lower and Republicans were clamoring for the election night landslide over there truly hated opponent.

By the early fall Obama's approval rating hit an all time low, falling to 31%. To add insult to injury speculation from the likes of Russ Feingold, and Bernie Sanders began to circulate about a potential challenge to Obama. Though, many agreed it would be very unlikely and impossible for any candidate to launch a campaign so late in the year.

However as September ticked away, the economy worsened and Obama's approval rating did not improve. By this time many Democrats were calling out for a challenge to Obama. Though no such challenge would emerge, for on September 21st in a televised speech to the nation Obama formally announced that he would not be seeking reelection, citing that his job on the managing the economy came as the top priority, not winning an election.

"I am not going to be the democratic nominee for President. I am going to serve out the rest of my term and do what needs to be done for the American people."

With Obama's sudden and shocking departure the democrats were without a presumptive nominee in the president. Though Biden was seen by some as the next choice many felt the damage caused by Obama was like that of Johnson in 68. "He's left the democratic party in shambles."

Though many rejoiced in Obama's departure, citing that his name on the ballot would trigger an election defeat not seen since Reagan v. Carter. "Now we have a chance to start anew with a true believer in the progressive causes and one who will win for us in November of 2012." -- Howard Dean.

Following Obama's announcement the names of possible candidates to replace Obama emerged. Vice President Biden announced he would not run, that left the real possibility of Hillary Clinton, but did she want it?

Democrats: 2012

Hillary Clinton: 80%

Other: 20%

At the first of October Bernie Sanders finally announced that he intended to seek the nomination for the democratic party.

"It's time to put working families first, to put corporation and big business last!"

Though Bernie Sanders was largely expected to win and unlikely to win, the focus remained on the woman who many believed deserved to be the nominee and would likely win the presidency. On October 5th before a crowd in New York the former senator and current Secretary of State made the announcement many people were expecting.

"I'm running for the Presidency of the United States of America."

[adrac]

This should be thoroughly entertaining.
Please continue.

[Snowstalker Mk. II]

Prediction: Romney wins the presidency.

[NHI]

Prediction: Romney wins the presidency.

Wouldn't be too sure.

[NHI]

The Clinton entrance into the Democratic race all but assured her the nomination. Some worried her attachment to the Administration would hurt her, while others believed it would only help her. She resigned as Secretary of State officially at the start of the new year. "It's onto the White House," she declared.

Clinton signs to be on the NH Primary ballot.

While Clinton's only opposition was Bernie Sanders, the Senator from Vermont wanted to debate Clinton prior to Iowa, but she declined, instead by focusing on campaigning and on who her eventual nominee would be.

Sanders lacked the fundraising efforts and organization of Clinton, but he spent his time throughout Iowa, making the case that, "Let the people decide who should be the democratic nominee." While all pundits declared Sanders' campaign was going nowhere, some argued he could have a strong showing in Iowa.

When the time came for the Iowa Caucus Clinton, as expected won easily over Sanders, though he did have somewhat of a strong showing, though he did not pose a threat to Clinton's victory at all.

Iowa:

Clinton: 80%

Sanders: 16%

Other: 4%

Clinton at her victory rally in Des Moines, Iowa.

Sanders remained through New Hampshire, but ended his bid, officially making Clinton the presumptive nominee of the party.

New Hampshire:

Clinton: 99%

Sanders: 0.9%

Others: 0.1%

However, on the Republican Side the race was still unsettled. Frontrunner Mitt Romney headed into Iowa with a slight lead, but ended up losing badly to both Santorum and Perry who came in first and second respectively.

Santorum's triumph over Romney.

Iowa:

Santorum: 28%

Perry: 24%

Romney: 17%

Paul: 14%

Gingrich: 8%

Bachmann: 5%

Huntsman: 1%

Santorum's victory in Iowa and Perry's strong comeback put the nomination fight up in the air. Romney headed to New Hampshire, hoping to prevail with a strong win in the Granite State.

Romney on the stump.

Romney  did win the New Hampshire primary, but a strong second place finish by Huntsman dampened the spirits of the Romney campaign, leading the pundits to declare the night: A draw. "It's seems like Romney is shaping up to be the Hillary of 2008." -- Chris Matthews.

New Hampshire:

Romney: 36%

Huntsman: 28%

Paul: 17%

Gingrich: 10%

Perry: 7%

"I'm ready to take on the nominee...whoever he is: Romney, Gingrich, Perry. I say bring it on."

"This is election is not about the past four years, it is about the next four and I believe I have the winning argument." --Clinton while campaigning in Florida; attempting to separate herself from the unpopular Democratic President.

However, with Obama's departure his approval saw an uptick, though nothing to jump for joy over. At the time of his withdrawal, Obama's approval stood at 31%, but by the start of 2012 his approval had risen back to 40%, giving the Democrat's hope against the Republicans.

Matchup:

Romney v. Clinton

Romney: 46%

Clinton: 45%

Santorum v. Clinton:

Clinton: 50%

Santorum: 39%

Perry v. Clinton

Clinton: 48%

Perry: 40%

[Vote UKIP!]

Prediction: Romney wins the presidency.

[Jerseyrules]

Liking this

[NHI]

Badly trailing in South Carolina Mitt Romney received the endorsement of Governor Nikki Haley. Her endorsement was certainly coveted, though some felt Haley betrayed the Tea Party coalition by endorsing a moderate like Romney.

By the time of the South Carolina primary Mitt Romney attempted to fight off a resurgent Perry, but after an assault of attack ads Perry beat out the former Massachusetts Governor.

South Carolina:

Perry: 41%

Romney: 27%

Santorum: 18%

Gingrich: 7%

Paul: 3%

Huntsman: 2%

With Perry's large win in South Carolina many pundits began to see his move towards becoming the Anti-Romney. However, with Santorum remaining in the race Romney used the divided conservative base to make a play for a win in Florida. For if he was able to deliver a strong win in Florida he would shake off the threat of Perry who the campaign acknowledged was the only one capable of beating him.

"We're on our way to the nomination."

With Gingrich bowing out of the race and endorsing Rick Santorum, the attacks on Romney did not relent. Going into Florida Romney held a narrow lead over Perry, but by election night Perry beat Romney by five points, delivering his second straight win.

Florida:

Perry: 44%

Romney: 39%

Santorum: 12%

Paul: 2%

The once frontrunner was diminished from likely to unlikely.

Perry recaptured his momentum and began leading Romney in the national polls. The Romney campaign shifted into attack mode as Perry continued to rise. While the presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton continued making her case across the country, drawing crowds that made those attending the Republican ones look like a funeral for a mugger.

Clinton in Ohio.

The consensus was that Romney would be the nominee, though with Perry's back to back wins The Clinton campaign began to focus on Perry, even visiting the state and holding a rally. "Wouldn't it be nice to carry the state of Texas again, Democrats."

Matchup:

Romney v. Clinton:

Clinton: 48%

Romney: 43%

Perry v. Clinton:

Clinton: 52%

Perry: 40%

[Jerseyrules]

I understand that Hilldawg has the advantage of not having a primary opponent, but I still think that it's odd that she's beating Romney by 5% already...

[NHI]

As the focus shifted towards Hillary Clinton's Vice Presidential pick, Mitt Romney upped the ante against Rick Perry going into the Nevada Caucus. Despite his devastating loss in South Carolina, he spun the showing in Florida as close.

"I'm fighting to be the nominee, we knew this wouldn't be easy, but Governor Perry would be able to stand next to Pres. Obama deliver the kind of victory we need."

Romney won the Nevada Caucus in a landslide and shifted the focus towards Super Tuesday, citing that if he did well there the losses in Florida and South Carolina could be forgotten.

Nevada:

Romney: 50%

Paul: 31%

Perry: 16%

With Perry's devastating loss in Nevada he shifted his attacks on Romney, and began criticizing him for his work at Bain. "He's a vulture capitalist."

Surprisingly Romney found an unexpected ally in Rush Limbaugh who came out defending Romney and his time at Bain, citing that Perry was engaging in Democratic Tactics. Romney off against Perry and claimed his attacks we're seemingly "UnAmerican, if he hates success, and in my view he sounds like Pres. Obama."

In the seven contests leading up to Super Tuesday, Mitt Romney carried five of them, to Perry's two. With commanding wins in all five Romney argued that he was the one to go against Pres. Obama. However as the fight with Perry and Romney started to wind down the focus shifted to Ron Paul. Though he long denied interest, speculation began to arise of a third party candidacy.