Republican Candidates April - October

Texas Gov. Rick Perry

Former MA Gov. Mitt Romney

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich

Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty

Former PA Sen. Rick Santorum

Herman Cain, CEO

Rep. Ron Paul of Texas

MN Rep. Michele Bachmann

Utah governor Jon Huntsman

NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg

MI Rep. Thaddeus McCotter

The Candidates Michele Bachmann Bachmann is a three-term congresswoman and founder of the House Tea Party Caucus. She is a former attorney known for fiery attacks on President Obama and her formidable fundraising Herman Cain Cain is the former chief executive of Godfather's Pizza and former chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. He lost the Georgia Republican primary for a U.S. Senate seat in He was recently the host of Atlanta-based radio show Newt Gingrich Gingrich served nearly four years as Speaker of the House after leading the 1994 Republican Revolution. He was first elected to Congress in 1978 and served through He has authored more than a dozen books Jon Huntsman Huntsman is a former U.S. ambassador to China and a former two-term governor of Utah. His father is billionaire businessman and philanthropist Jon Huntsman Sr. Ron Paul Paul is serving his 11th full term in the U.S. House. He’s an obstetrician- gynecologist and was the Libertarian nominee for president in He unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination for president in 2008

The Candidates Gary Johnson Johnson served as governor of New Mexico from 1995 to He founded what would become one of the largest construction companies in New Mexico. He has competed in several triathlons and climbed Mount Everest Tim Pawlenty Mitt Romney Romney is the former governor of Massachusetts. He was the head of a private equity firm and is credited with rescuing the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. He unsuccessfully ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008 Rick Santorum Santorum served two terms in the U.S. House and two terms in the U.S. Senate. He became the Senate's third-ranking Republican in He was defeated for reelection in 2006 Rick Perry James Richard 'Rick' Perry is the 47th and current Governor of Texas

Other Non-candidates Mitch Daniels Current Governor of Indiana Mike Huckabee Former Governor of Arkansas Donald Trump Businessman Chris Christie Current Governor of New Jersey

Former New Mexico gov. joins the GOP presidential pack of contenders (April 21, 2011)

Ron Paul enters 2012 presidential race (May 13, 2011)

Huckabee says he won't run for president (May 14, 2011)

Ind. GOP Gov. Daniels not running (May 22, 2011)

Gallup Poll: Romney, Palin lead GOP presidential field (May 26, 2011)

Former Alaska governor Sarah Palin has not said whether she'll seek the GOP presidential nomination.

Donald Trump will sit out 2012 race "Business is my greatest passion.”

Former Gov. Rick Santorum forms presidential exploratory committee (May 3, 2011)

`The 2012 United States Republican Party presidential debates are a series of political debates being held, prior to the 2012 Republican primaries, among candidates for the Republican presidential nomination in the national election of 2012.

The first debate occurred on May 5, 2011 in Greenville, South Carolina

Five Republican presidential hopefuls participate in the first debate of the 2012 race in South Carolina, tackling issues from the global terrorist threat to domestic concerns: former MN Gov. Tim Pawlenty Former PA Sen. Rick Santorum Texas Rep. Ron Paul former NM Gov. Gary Johnson businessman Herman Cain

GOP debate overshadowed by bin Laden killing, lack of top candidates

Cain officially announces presidential bid (May 21, 2011) "Right here, this day, this hour and this moment, I have looked inside of me. I came here to declare my candidacy for the Republican nomination for president of the United States of America.”

Pawlenty launches 2012 campaign (May 24, 2011) Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty officially announced his candidacy for president Monday in Iowa, kicking off his "truth" campaign: – "In my campaign, I'm going to take a different approach. I am going to tell you the truth. The truth is Washington D.C.'s broken.” – "It's time for new leadership. It's time for a new approach. And, it's time for America's president - and anyone who wants to be president - to look you in the eye and tell you the truth."

SANTORUM TO RUN IN 2012 (June 6, 2011) Rick Santorum will make it official Monday. The former senator from Pennsylvania will formally announce his candidacy for president in Somerset County, near where his grandfather worked in a coal mine after coming to America from Italy. The former two-term senator lost his 2006 re- election bid by 18 points to Democrat Bob Casey Jr. and until last year was largely out of public view …except for appearances on Fox News.

Gallup Poll, early June With Palin in the field, the candidates rank as follows: Former MS Gov. Mitt Romney 24 percent former AK Gov. Sarah Palin 16 Herman Cain 9 TX Rep. Ron Paul 7 former MN Gov. Tim Pawlenty 6 former PA Sen. Rick Santorum 6 Rep. Michele Bachmann 5 former House Speaker Newt Gingrich 5 former NM Gov. Gary Johnson 2 former UT Gov. Jon Huntsman 1 TX Gov. Rick Perry 1 (vol.)

Debate #2: Saint Anselm College Manchester, New Hampshire June 13, 2011

Michele Bachmann announces presidential run Michele Bachmann announced her intentions to run for president during the Republican debate in New Hampshire, Monday.

Washington Times: Ron Paul wins New Hampshire GOP debate

Assessing Debate #2 Washington Post WINNERS Michele Bachmann: For viewers who had never heard of the Minnesota Congresswoman before tonight, she put on quite a show. For the first 45 minutes of the debate, Bachmann dominated the stage with quotable lines galore. What Bachmann proved tonight? She’s ready for primetime. Mitt Romney: Romney came into the debate as the frontrunner in New Hampshire and nationally and he did nothing in the 120 minutes on stage at Saint Anselm College to change that. Romney was serious and well informed — in a word: presidential. His debate experience from 2008 clearly paid off. LOSERS Tim Pawlenty: Pawlenty came into the debate with perhaps the biggest challenge: to prove that the insider buzz he has been generating of late could be translated to a public forum. He had moments where he shined — his answer on the separation of church and state was outstanding — but by and large he came across as a bit over- programmed. Herman Cain: After winning the first debate of the year in South Carolina, expectations were high for the Georgia businessman. But Cain’s answer on whether he would have a Muslim in his Cabinet was confusing at best and offensive at worst and will be, without question, the memorable moment of the debate for him.

Ron Paul wins RLC straw poll (June 18, 2011)

Huntsman surprises in big GOP straw poll: 2 nd Place (June 18, 2011)

Des Moines Register IA Poll (June 25, 2011) – Romney23% – Bachmann 22% – Cain 10% – Paul 7% – Gingrich 7% – Pawlenty 7% – Santorum 4% – Huntsman 2%

Johnson: Legalize marijuana

Most Googled candidate in Iowa is... (August 11, 2011) Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann isn't just the GOP frontrunner in Iowa. She's also the most Googled candidate in the leadoff caucus state.

Debate #3: Ames, Iowa (August 11, 2011)

Sensing victory: Bachmann dances with her husband as they wait for the results of the poll

August 13,2011

TX Governor Rick Perry Joins Race (August 13, 2011)

Tim Pawlenty Drops Out (August 14, 2011)

Santorum on Perry: ‘We’re not in Texas, anymore’ (August 17, 2011) Former PA Sen. Rick Santorum blasted his fellow GOP presidential candidate Tuesday. Perry has already “stepped on it a couple times” since entering the race Saturday. The governor's comments about Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke were “completely out of bounds.”“We don’t charge people with treason because we disagree with them on public policy,” Santorum said. “You don’t up the ante to that type of rhetoric. It’s out of place.”

Sarah Palin headlines Iowa tea party rally

Eight candidates confirmed for September 7th GOP debate

The 4 th Debate: Republican presidential candidates answer questions at the Reagan Library Wednesday in Simi Valley, Calif. (September 7, 2011)

Debate #5 Tampa, Florida (September 12, 2011)

Republican presidential candidate Texas Gov. Rick Perry gestures during a Republican presidential debate on Monday in Tampa. (September 12, 2011)

Cain upsets Perry at Florida straw poll (September 24, 2011) The final tally: Herman Cain 37% Rick Perry 15% Mitt Romney 14% Rick Santorum 11%, Ron Paul 10% Newt Gingrich 9%. Jon Huntsman 2% Michele Bachmann 2% The straw poll in Orlando was non-binding, and voting was limited to about 3,500 delegates who had paid $175 each to attend.

Even After Florida Debate, Perry Leads Latest Poll

CNN Presidential Poll: (September 26, 2011) Rick Perry — 28% Mitt Romney — 21% Newt Gingrich — 10% Ron Paul — 10% Herman Cain — 7% Sarah Palin — 7% Michele Bachmann — 4% Rick Santorum — 3% Jon Huntsman — 1%

CNN Presidential Poll (without Palin): (September 26, 2011) Rick Perry – 30% Mitt Romney — 22% Newt Gingrich — 11% Herman Cain — 9% Ron Paul — 7%

Debate #6: Orlando, Florida (September 22, 2011)

Sarah Palin won't run for president (October 5, 2011)

McCain Campaign Considered Not Letting Palin Be Sworn In if They Won

Ron Paul wins Values Voter poll ahead of Herman Cain

Value Voters (October 8, 2011) Ron Paul 37% Herman Cain 23% Rick Santorum 16% Rick Perrry 8% Michele Bachmann 8% Mitt Romney 4% Newt Gingrich 3% Jon Huntsman 0% Undecided 1%

Vice President Herman Cain? In an interview with the Omaha World-Herald published Tuesday (10/11/11), the GOP White House hopeful said if his presidential bid fails, he would "consider" the No. 2 spot.

Christie endorses Romney (October 11, 2011) "I want to support Gov. Romney because I believe he's the best person to be able to articulate Republican values and defeat Barack Obama in November 2012."

The 7 th GOP debate at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, focused on the economy. (October 11, 2011)

The Media Primary Rick Perry received the most favorable coverage of any candidate for president during the first five months of the race, but now Herman Cain is enjoying that distinction. Perry lost the mantle of the candidate enjoying the most favorable treatment to Herman Cain two weeks ago, after the Florida straw poll. Though he has often led in the polls, former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney has received less coverage and less positive coverage than the shifting casts of frontrunners

Total Coverage

The Media Primary One man running for president has suffered the most unrelentingly negative treatment of all: Barack Obama.

Herman Cain surges to lead in new national poll

Gallup Polls (April to early October)

Candidate Images

CNN Poll (October 17 th 2011) Two-thirds of Republicans (and Independents leaning Republican) say minds are not made up. Among those with a preference – Romney26% – Cain 25% – Perry13% – Paul 9% – Gingrich 8% – Bachmann 6% – Santorum 2% – Huntsman 1%

Public Policy Polling Results for Ohio (October 18, 2011)

The 8 th Debate: Las Vegas, Nevada (October 18, 2011)

Ron Paul rips Herman Cain over Occupy Wall Street

Perry defends pastor who called Mormonism a cult

Mitt Romney bashed on healthcare, immigration at Vegas debate

Romney, Perry trade jabs over immigration

Cut everything in budget -- but the military

Romney faces withering attacks over healthcare

Protesters from Occupy Las Vegas took their messages to the venue of the debate.

Under fire, Herman Cain modifies `9- 9-9' plan

Michele Bachmann speaks at the Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition Presidential Forum on Oct. 22. Congress should prevent the federal courts from involving themselves in the dispute over same-sex marriage.

Romney Leads Republican Rivals in First Four Primary States (CNN/TIME Poll: October 26, 2011)

IowaNew Hampshire South Carolina Florida Romney24%40%25%30% Cain21%13%23%18% Gingrich10%5%8%9% Perry10%4%11%9% Paul12% 6% Bachmann6%2%4% Santorum2%1% Huntsman1%6%1% Someone Else (vol.) ***1% None (vol.)3%5% 7% No Opinion11%14%10%14% (N)(405)(400) (401)

T or not T? One consistent dividing line in all four polls is attitudes toward the tea party. In each of the states except New Hampshire, Romney polls higher among voters who are neutral or opposed to the tea party than those who say they support it. Herman Cain, in mirror image, polls substantially better among tea party supporters in all four states.

Hawkeye Poll: Romney could face Mormon hurdle in general election A University of Iowa Hawkeye Poll found that nearly 70 percent of respondents who said they were "very likely" and "somewhat likely" to attend the caucus agreed with the statement "I would vote for a Mormon to become president of the United States." But overall, Iowa Republicans are much less supportive of a Mormon president (41 percent), suggesting that if Romney secures the Republican nomination his faith may be a greater deterrent for general election voters than for caucus participants.

Fox News Poll: GOP Primary Voters Get on the Cain Train

Fox Poll Changes

Why Rick Perry's presidential bid is toast By James Carville (10/28/2011 )

Tea party group calls on Bachmann to drop presidential bid (October 28, 2011)

Bachmann accuses Perry camp of 'stealth' political attack (10/28/11)

Johnson files in the nick of time (October 28, 2011) A one-way, red-eye flight from Arizona? $500. Filing your candidacy in New Hampshire's primary just in the nick of time? “Priceless.”

GOP Insiders Near-Unanimous in Predicting Romney Nomination The large Republican presidential field, along with the dramatic surges and collapses of several of its candidates, may ultimately be much ado about nothing. That, at least, is the conclusion of the Republican strategists surveyed in this week's National Journal Political Insiders Poll, who almost unanimously identified Mitt Romney as the most likely candidate to win the nomination. Rank the top five candidates, 1 through 5, in terms of who you think is most likely to capture the 2012 Republican presidential nomination: CANDIDATEINSIDERS INDEX SCORE* Mitt Romney98 Rick Perry72 Herman Cain47 Newt Gingrich31 Rick Santorum13 Jon Huntsman11 Michele Bachmann7 Ron Paul5

Democratic Insiders, meanwhile, largely believe Republicans are on the right track, with more than two-thirds of them naming Romney as the strongest candidate the GOP could nominate for the 2012 election. Who would be the Republicans' strongest presidential nominee in 2012? Democrats Oct (101 votes) Democrats Aug (100 votes) Mitt Romney71%48% Jon Huntsman19%16% Rick Perry5%20% Other5%0%

Des Moines Register IA Poll (October 29, 2011) – Cain 23% – Romney22% – Paul 12% – Bachmann 8% – Perry 7% – Gingrich 7% – Santorum 5% – Huntsman 1%

Ron Paul wins both tallies at GOP straw poll in Iowa (Des Moines, Iowa) Ron Paul has won two separate tallies for the National Federation of Republican Assemblies Presidential Straw Poll. Iowa Voters (N=430) Ron Paul 82%. Herman Cain 15% Rick Santorum 1% Newt Gingrich 1% Michele Bachmann lt1% Rick Perry lt1% Gary Johnson lt1% Mitt Romney 0% Jon Huntsman 0%. Non-Iowa Voters (N=101) Ron Paul 26% Herman Cain 25%, Rick Perry 16% Rick Santorum 16%, Newt Gingrich 11% Michelle Bachmann 6% Mitt Romney 1% John Huntsman 0% Gary Johnson 0%.

Perry will debate but still doesn't like it (October 30, 2011) "I readily admit, I'm not the best debater in the world," Perry said on "Fox News Sunday." "With as many debates as we've got coming up, I may be a pretty good debater when it's all said and done."

Perry's "Bizarre" New Hampshire Cornerstone Speech (October 30, 2011)

Rick Perry's speech video goes viral

Poll: Cain and Perry lead in Texas (October 31, 2011) Herman Cain 27% Rick Perry 26% Ron Paul 12% Mitt Romney 9% Newt Gingrich 8% The remaining candidates received 2% support or less.

Cain denies harassment allegations (October 31, 2011)