All eyes will be on Washington this weekend when the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) meets andconducts itsRepublican presidential nomination straw poll.
Some of the candidates who are on the ballot will not be speaking at the event including, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, former Ambassador Jon Huntsman, former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. Ten potential candidates -- U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota, Gov. Haley Barbour of Mississippi, businessman Herman Cain, Gov. Mitch Daniels of Indianan, U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania and U.S. Sen. John Thune of South Dakota -- will be speaking at the event Despite his name not being in contention at CPAC, former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton continues to insist that he is considering running for the Republican nomination. A contributor at Fox News, Bolton has been getting more than his share of media exposure as events in Egypt continue to receive media attention While there was speculation that Paul would forego another presidential bid, the congressman will be heading to Iowa in March and reports indicate that he is seriously considering making a third stab at the White House
While he may be a dark horse at the national level, Thune clearly has the support of voters back home. A new Public Policy Polling survey showed Thune routing the field in his home state of South Dakota, taking 37 percent, with Palin and Romney tied in second with 12 percent, just ahead of Gingrichs 11 percent and Huckabees 10 percent. Take Thune out of the equation and Palins and Huckabees numbers increase. If Thune is out, Palin leads the poll with 21 percent followed by Huckabee at 19 percent, Romney at 17 percent and Gingrich with 12 percent Some sniping going on between the dark horses. With Daniels repeating his call for a truce on social issues and arguing that the focus needs to be on the economy and the size and costs of the federal government, Santorum has taken aim at the Indiana governor, saying that Daniels has no concept of what conservatism is As Cain continues running a presidential exploratory committee, his talk radio show is on hiatus
Former White House Deputy Chief of Staff Jim Messina has hit the ground running as he leads President Barack Obamas 2012 re-election efforts. Messina has crossed the nation, attending fund-raising events in California, New York and Massachusetts as the Obama team starts its goal of raising $1 billion for 2012 Two polls released this week had Obama ahead of Palin in states that John McCain carried in 2008. A poll looking at Tennessee from Vanderbilt's Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions showed Obama with 42 percent and Palin with 37 percent. McCain carried the Volunteer State by 15 points in 2008 A poll from Insight had Obama leading Palin in Georgia, 47 percent to 43 percent. In 2008, McCain beat Obama by 5 percent in the Peach State
When Obama addressed the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington this week, he had to confront protesters demanding single-payer health care. A familiar face was among the protesters -- consumer advocate Ralph Nader, who has been sharply critical of Obama and may launch yet another independent presidential campaign in 2012. While Obama waved to the protesters, he did not address them While the California Supreme Court will not take up his lawsuit claiming Obama is constitutionally ineligible for the presidency due to birth issues, Alan Keyes is remaining busy, pounding the new Republican majority in the U.S. House for raising the debt ceiling. Keyes, best known for his frequent bids for the presidency and taking on Obama in the U.S. Senate race in Illinois back in 2004, has not ruled out making a run at the White House in 2012 Winona LaDuke, the Native American author and activist best known for being Naders running mate back in 2000, has been active in recent weeks, speaking at events across the country, leading to speculation that she could seek the Green Partys nomination in 2012.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.
