1. Mitt Romney
-He never really fell out of the top spot, did he? Romney leads in early endorsements, money raised, and campaign apparatus. The New England Patriot looked like he was in for an upset, but so far has maintained his top spot. Clearly a Super Bowl contender, he will have to stave off his opponents in the coming weeks.
2. Rick Perry
-Despite talks that the "early bird gets the trophy" in the preseason of the campaign, Perry came on strong as a late entrant. He has shown flashes of greatness throughout the campaign, but has been unable to capture a convincing lead. He still has potential to upset the front-runner, but will have to step it up a notch in his debating and selling himself to the voters.
Super Bowl 2012
3. Michele Bachmann
-Curious that Bachmann would find herself in the number 3 spot after being written off by most analysts. It would be tempting to put Ron Paul as #3, but Bachmann still has game in spite of her recent losing streak. Her broad public support might be limited, but she still has potential to win in Iowa. However, one win does not make a champion. A tough early schedule makes a win in game one possible, but odds do not look favorable that she'll capitalize and carry her support to New Hampshire and other early-voting states.
4. Ron Paul
-Ron Paul has a consistent level of support and could challenge Bachmann for the number 3. Given his apparent ceiling of support though, the perennial contender looks like he will go home empty-handed once again. His fans are among the most devoted in the league, and his mark on the playoffs should not go without notice.
5. Rick Santorum
-Santorum has been a real surprise in recent weeks. He started off as Mr. Irrelevant and has become, well, Mr. Less Irrelevant. He capitalized on turnovers by Perry and Bachmann, and has reestablished himself after a grueling loss in the Senate in 2006. He does have a future in the GOP, but it'd take a real "Hail Mary" for him to seize the nomination.
6. Gary Johnson
-A man who barely captures one percent in the polls is in 6th place? Most have not heard of the former New Mexico governor, but some of those who have see him as the next Ron Paul. After finally getting the opportunity to participate in a debate, he may be able to set himself up as a libertarian leader. The presidential campaign was no waste for him; he made a (small) name for himself, and is somehow beating Jon Huntsman in a few polls. He is not the ultra-fringe candidate many make him out to be (he was a well-liked governor), and has potential in certain markets.
7. Newt Gingrich
-Newt Gingrich, the Randy Moss of politics. He has proven himself to be a great political player in years past, but has begun taking plays off when he's not feeling it. He has a book to sell, an image to maintain, and can't be bogged down with things like running an effective campaign. Some thought he might bring back the Newt dynasty of the 90's, but he has turned his campaign over to owners who put ticket sales over a championship-quality team. He still has enough left in him to debate, but a few blunders have already cost him the season.
8. Herman Cain
-What to do with Herman Cain? Like Gingrich, he has an image to maintain. He may be setting himself up for a position in the GOP Party apparatus - just not as a candidate. Did we really expect him to be President after the elections next November? He has run a good race, picked up some worthwhile supporters (fair-weather fans?), and would fit in well as a fund-raiser and executive within the Party.
9. Jon Huntsman
-Poor Jon Huntsman. A few short years ago he appeared to be the ultimate GOP general election candidate. Turns out he would be the 2008 Detroit Lions: undefeated in the preseason and endlessly defeated in the regular season. He just didn't live up to the hype. He has the background of a good candidate; he might be able to come back in upcoming years. He could do a lot of good for the GOP, but he needs to be taken seriously first.
10. Buddy Roemer
-At least the Lions won in the preseason. Buddy just couldn't get it going for himself. Fortunately he didn't have any expectations. He is on the edge between credible and fringe candidate, but we'll give him the fact that he was elected as a governor. And ten is a much nicer number than nine.
Once again the race is Mitt Romney's to lose. He has seen his image as the overall leader wax and wane, but is still the candidate to beat. He's got a strong opponent just waiting for an electoral show-off, and needs to do more than sit on the sidelines as before. The playoffs are still a long ways away, and just as in football, a lot can happen in a few weeks in politics. Every week counts. Every player counts. Every play counts. What will happen in the weeks to come? Stay tuned and find out!
GOP Power Rankings: Week 28
Andre P. Audette is author of the blog No Politics As Usual - Challenging partisanship, calling out corruption, and confronting "politics as usual." Read it online at http://www.andrepierreaudette.com/
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