In what still feels like the wake of the historic and emotional 2008 presidential elections, which swept Barack Obama into the White House, the next election cycle is already in high gear.
The 2012 presidential election won’t take place for about 18 months, but there are already several confirmed candidates, some who are exploring being candidates, others who are possible candidates, and several who have officially decided against running.
The 2012 presidential election won’t take place for about 18 months, but there are already several confirmed candidates, some who are exploring being candidates, others who are possible candidates, and several who have officially decided against running.
The Federal Election Commission (FEC) requires any candidate who either spends or receives $5,000 or more to register with the FEC.
Information about who is and isn’t running for president, who is exploring running for president, and who has decided not to run varies. It’s still early, but confirmed and potential candidates stand out.
Information about who is and isn’t running for president, who is exploring running for president, and who has decided not to run varies. It’s still early, but confirmed and potential candidates stand out.
Among the most notable confirmed candidates are incumbent President Barack Obama (Democrat) and Newt Gingrich (Republican), who declared his candidacy via Twitter. So far none of the declared candidates are predicted to pose a significant challenge to Obama being re-elected in 2012.
In the field of undeclared but potential candidates are John Bolton (Republican) who was the U.S. representative to the U.N. under G.W. Bush; and Sarah Palin (Republican) who is a former governor of Alaska and was the running mate to presidential candidate John McCain in 2008. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani (Republican) is said to be considering a presidential run, but he hasn’t made it official yet.
In the field of undeclared but potential candidates are John Bolton (Republican) who was the U.S. representative to the U.N. under G.W. Bush; and Sarah Palin (Republican) who is a former governor of Alaska and was the running mate to presidential candidate John McCain in 2008. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani (Republican) is said to be considering a presidential run, but he hasn’t made it official yet.
Mike Huckabee (Republican) is a former governor of Arkansas. He is well liked, and his name has been on the roster of potential presidential candidates in the past, but he has formally declared that he will not run.
One of the most notable contenders to have dropped out of the race before it even began is business and real estate tycoon Donald Trump. He announced he wouldn’t run not long after a fiery and politically incorrect speech that went viral on the Internet.
One of the most notable contenders to have dropped out of the race before it even began is business and real estate tycoon Donald Trump. He announced he wouldn’t run not long after a fiery and politically incorrect speech that went viral on the Internet.
Declared Presidential Candidates
Barack Obama
Democrat
Current president, elected in 2008.
www.barackobama.com
Randall Terry
Democrat
Known for his strong anti-abortion stance, Terry has already been vocal about taking on Obama in Iowa for the Democratic nomination.
www.terryforpresident.com
Democrat
Current president, elected in 2008.
www.barackobama.com
Randall Terry
Democrat
Known for his strong anti-abortion stance, Terry has already been vocal about taking on Obama in Iowa for the Democratic nomination.
www.terryforpresident.com
Herman Cain
Republican
A native of Atlanta, Ga., Cain comes from a working-class background and worked his way up in the restaurant industry from flipping burgers to being the head of the National Restaurant Association.
www.hermancain.com
Newt Gingrich
Republican
Gingrich, who declared his candidacy via Twitter, is a former speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, and has faced a mass exodus of campaign staff in recent days.
http://newt.org
Republican
A native of Atlanta, Ga., Cain comes from a working-class background and worked his way up in the restaurant industry from flipping burgers to being the head of the National Restaurant Association.
www.hermancain.com
Newt Gingrich
Republican
Gingrich, who declared his candidacy via Twitter, is a former speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, and has faced a mass exodus of campaign staff in recent days.
http://newt.org
Gary Johnson
Republican
This former governor of New Mexico is known for his business-minded approach to governing and has been vocal about a perceived snub by CNN. He wants to be included in CNN’s June 13 candidates’ debate.
www.garyjohnson2012.com
Fred Karger
Republican
This controversial figure doesn’t have a very robust platform, and so far has focused mostly on special interest issues.
http://fredkarger.com
Republican
This former governor of New Mexico is known for his business-minded approach to governing and has been vocal about a perceived snub by CNN. He wants to be included in CNN’s June 13 candidates’ debate.
www.garyjohnson2012.com
Fred Karger
Republican
This controversial figure doesn’t have a very robust platform, and so far has focused mostly on special interest issues.
http://fredkarger.com
Ron Paul
Republican
Paul, a Texas congressman, is a well-known political figure who has tried his hand at getting the Republican nomination for president in the past, to no avail.
www.ronpaul2012.com
Tim Pawlenty
Republican
Former Minnesota Gov. Pawlenty, or T-Paw as he is sometimes called, has a conservative platform that is focused on fiscal economics and the federal deficit.
www.timpawlenty.com
Mitt Romney
Republican
Romney is a charismatic and well-known political figure who is the former governor of Massachusetts and is widely considered the current Republican front-runner.
www.mittromney.com
Rick Santorum
Republican
One of the most recently declared candidates for president, Santorum is known for his high-energy campaigning abilities and a radio ad campaign well ahead of the rest of the pack.
www.ricksantorum.com
Republican
Paul, a Texas congressman, is a well-known political figure who has tried his hand at getting the Republican nomination for president in the past, to no avail.
www.ronpaul2012.com
Tim Pawlenty
Republican
Former Minnesota Gov. Pawlenty, or T-Paw as he is sometimes called, has a conservative platform that is focused on fiscal economics and the federal deficit.
www.timpawlenty.com
Mitt Romney
Republican
Romney is a charismatic and well-known political figure who is the former governor of Massachusetts and is widely considered the current Republican front-runner.
www.mittromney.com
Rick Santorum
Republican
One of the most recently declared candidates for president, Santorum is known for his high-energy campaigning abilities and a radio ad campaign well ahead of the rest of the pack.
www.ricksantorum.com
