07-26-10
Possible 2012 Presidential Candidates Already Visiting NH

WMUR: MANCHESTER, N.H. -- The 2010 midterm elections are only a few months away, but New Hampshire is becoming a popular destination for those who may have their eye on 2012. Possible Republican presidential candidate and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum was the latest to visit. Santorum visited the Granite State on Monday for the third time this year. "Just trying to keep focus on 2010, and if things go well in 2010, 2011 will be even more fun," he said. Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty has also stopped by three times this year, and former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney will host several New Hampshire fundraisers in August. Republican strategist Mike Dennehy said those three could make up the early field. "Mitt Romney, Tim Pawlenty and Rick Santorum are the three candidates who have made the most noise in early primary states like Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina. That would lead people to believe that they are going to run for president," he said. Former New York Gov. George Pataki, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani have also made the rounds recently. But when it comes to former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, Dennehy said he has his doubts about her desire to run. "If she were going to run, I think she would make some more concrete plans in Iowa, in New Hampshire and South Carolina. And she really hasn't done it at all," said Dennehy. Dennehy said Palin's name recognition allows her the luxury of time. Dennehy also said voters should keep their eye on New Jersey Gov. Chris Christy. "Although it will be way too early for him to run for president, Barack Obama shocked a lot of people by running in his first term for Senate. So anything can happen nowadays in politics," Dennehy said. The presidential primary may get a later start in 2012. Democrats want to push their primaries back from January to February 2012. Iowa would hold its caucuses on Feb. 6, and the primary in New Hampshire would be on Feb. 14. Nevada and South Carolina would hold their primaries later that month. New Hampshire Republican Tom Rath said his party will take a formal vote in August but expects that the GOP primaries will be held in February. To watch WMUR clip: http://www.wmur.com/politics/24398663/detail.html