Bloodless Coup

If Romney 2012 Is a Non-Starter, Who Benefits?

A lot of political commentators have said that the passage of health care reform has doomed Mitt Romney's presidential bid, since he'll be actively disavowing a policy that is similar to one of his most prominent accomplishments as governor of Massachusetts. I think there's something to that. If that's true, who benefits? What campaigns will be aided by his being seriously wounded? I'm inclined to think the #1 beneficiary is Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, since Daniels is also seen as a business-savvy, establishment-friendly executive. Agree? Disagree?

More generally, at this point who do you think will be competitive candidates in this race? At the moment I can see a case to be made for Daniels, Gov. Barbour of Mississippi, Gov. Perry of Texas, Sarah Palin, and, in the ultimate example of the right profile trumping notable accomplishment (so the pre-2006 George Allen of this field) Sen. Thune of South Dakota. I don't see charisma-impaired Tim Pawlenty, too-libertarian Gary Johnson, none-too-bright Mike Pence, or far-too-DC Newt Gingrich being serious players once the 2012 elections are underway - though I suppose I could see Pence filling Palin's place in the race, should she choose not to run.