The 2012 Republican Primary: Down to the Wire (Already?)

Finally my previous posts have become mainstream. Look at what I have written consistently on The Huffington Post and look at what the mainstream press has suddenly started reporting.

With Daniels out of the race, there are only three serious candidates left: Mitt Romney, Jon Huntsman and Tim Pawlenty.

Jon Huntsman is playing a cunning game with a McCain-type strategy. He will likely skip the caucus state of Iowa but will compete hard in New Hampshire and South Carolina (now hiring the former Republican State Director in South Carolina). He just met with former President George H.W. Bush and will soon meet with Governor Rick Perry of Texas. Overall, Huntsman's campaign contains many elements of an inside tactician who knows the game well (see "John Weaver").

Michele Bachmann will likely be competitive in Iowa as a conservative (but also likely does not have enough strength to win the nomination).

In addition, someone else may join the race, but make no mistake about it - the race as it stands now can and will only be won by three people: Mitt Romney, Jon Huntsman, or Tim Pawlenty. Only two of these candidates have the possibly of winning against Obama (and this is a possibility). They are: Romney and Huntsman.

Mitt Romney will likely have the most money but will also likely peak too soon. Keep your eyes on Huntsman.