We may be in the midst of the craziness that is the 2010 midterms, but this week has seen a number of developments on the 2012 Republican presidential nomination front:
Jeb Bush — The former Florida governor told a local television station in Kentucky this week that he is “not running for president.” But that doesn’t mean his name won’t continue to make these lists.
John Thune — The South Dakota senator is said to be beefing up his policy cred while speculation mounts that he’s considering a run. He’s also campaigning across the country for Republican Senate candidates.
Rick Santorum — The former Pennsylvania senator reportedly met last week with several former staffers to gauge their interest in a 2012 bid.
Tim Pawlenty: The Minnesota governor, The Daily Caller reported, told a group of reporters at a breakfast meeting Tuesday that he will decide whether to run for his party’s presidential nomination shortly after January 1, 2011. He said his decision would not be “dependent on what other people do and don’t do,” referring to questions about whether former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin will throw her hat in the ring.
Newt Gingrich: After saying he’s never been this serious about running for president, the former House speaker received an unlikely endorsement. Former DNC chair Howard Dean said on Fox News Sunday that he hopes Gingrich runs because the GOP needs “intellectual leadership.”
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Tea Party and NAACP: