Cilizza's 10 Republicans to Watch

[paul718]

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2008/11/the_friday_line_ten_republican.html

Thankfully, he was smart enough to leave Palin and Huckabee off the list. 

1.  Bobby Jindal
2.  John Thune
3.  Mitt Romney
4.  Mitch Daniels
5.  Bob McDonnell (running for Gov. in VA)
6.  Mark Sanford
7.  Eric Cantor
8.  Jon Huntsman
9.  Haley Barbour
10.  Steve Poizner (running for Gov. in CA) 

I don't know why Gingrich didn't make it.

[paul718]

I see no reason to watch Jon Huntsman.

He governs one of the most financially sound states in the country.  Plus, he isn't a bad looking guy.  I just can't get over how bad his speeches are, though.  

[paul718]

Pence should be on this list.

Yup, I forgot to include him with Gingrich.  I'm a huge Pence fan and I think he's more likely than Cantor (who has his eyes set on being Speaker one day, IMO).  My guess for Cilizza ranking him so high is that he was seriously considered for McCain's runningmate.  

[paul718]

There is little doubt that Haley could win tobacco country, haha.

I have no idea why Chris thinks he's a guy to watch.  He's a successful, well-connected governor, but that doesn't mean the guy is fit to win a GOP primary or a national, general election.

Probably because he is so well-connected that should he decide to run, he would automatically "matter".  Then, should the rest of the field be weak or other candidates trip up, he would have a clear shot at the nomination.