They are Andy Harris of Maryland, a state senator challenging Rep. Frank Kratovil Jr. in a rematch of their close 2008 race in the 1st District; Martha Roby of Alabama, a Montgomery city councilwoman who is taking on Rep. Bobby Bright in the 2nd District; Steve Pearce of New Mexico, a former House member who lost a Senate race in 2008 and is seeking to reclaim his old 2nd District seat, now held by Rep. Harry Teague; Steve Stivers of Ohio, who is waging a rematch campaign against Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy in the Columbus-area 15th District; and Van Tran of California, an assemblyman who is taking on Rep. Loretta Sanchez in the 47th District.

It COULD mean he has 2012 on his mind.  But it could more likely be preparation for a future leadership advance.  Congressman Roy Blunt, his “boss” in the leadership, is running for US Senate.   That means Cong. Cantor is a decent chance for the (hopefully) Majority Whip position and maybe even higher (Don’t count on it happening like Salon suggests!).  Also the ERIC PAC has been around since at least 2004.

Moreover, there is a huge obstacle in Cong. Cantor’s way to running for President and Congress at the same time (this also applies to VP, too!):  Va. Code 24.2-504 (emphasis added)

Only a person fulfilling all the requirements of a candidate shall have his name printed on the ballot for the election. No person shall have his name printed on the ballot for more than one office at any one election. However, a candidate for federal or statewide office, or a candidate for an office being filled in a special election, may have his name printed on the ballot for two offices at an election.

This means that, unlike Cong. Paul, Congressman Cantor must decide between Congress and President.  My faithful readers will be the first to know after I do if there is any attempt to change this law.  With divided government in Richmond (The GOP controls the house and the Dems the state senate and we’ll know shortly who is governor), it seems unlikely.  It is a shame in that Cong. Cantor would make a great candidate for either President or VP.

Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour is a possible candidate.  He has a good post-Katrina reputation (although predictably Salon disagrees) and also worked on tort reform in MS.  But he is a former lobbyist and head of the RNC.  He spoke in Iowa and is the head of the GOP governor’s association must be respected.

Senator John Thune – South Dakota is a giant killer:  He beat Minority Leader Tom Daschle in his second try for the Senate.  (He may have won the first time, too!  His graciousness in conceding defeat is a lesson for all aspirants.)  Thune is competent, telegenic and charismatic.

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich.  Gingrich is also a giant-killer – he ended the Democratic hold on the House of Representatives in 1994.  But the Gingrich Revolution failed or was derailed (Sen. Tom Coburn in his great book, Breach of Faith, says it was derailed by DC as usual).    I admire Gingrich very much.  He is a rare visionary and intellectual who was successful in politics.  He is a fascinating person for politics:  He wrote this review on a book on trilobites, yes that is not a misprint, trilobites, those little prehistoric animals that lived for about 400,000,000 years or so as the scientists count time.  Gingrich was a professor at a small Georgia college before he became Speaker.  He is interested in running for President it seems to me.  However, he has personal and congressional baggage (not all is true but will be used against him) from his years in DC.  Gingrich would be a polarizing choice.  Gingrich and Ron Paul in a debate forum in 2012 would be a nightmare for the other candidates:  No slick solutions allowed!

Former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani is eyeing another run for the White House but he is also giving serious consideration for Governor of his home state.  I think the governorship of New York is more likely with maybe eye on 2016 or 2020.