Sarah Palin, the smarter than you think VP candidate of 2008 sparked the imagination of tea folk throughout the country, and had already been exposed to the chicken pox of media skewering. She would have been immune to their poisoned quills this time around.  However, the generosity of the milquetoast Republican establishment would not be forthcoming.  Where the media left off, the supposed spokespeople of the Right picked up, and inserted doubt of viability. Her decision to remain a viable voice meant NOT running.

Shame.

Herman Cain, one of those folks who actually understands how to identify problems and assign the proper talent to them, was probably the best hope in advancing the conservative message.  He was the first out of the gate with a plan for tax reform, and whether one agrees with HIS proposal, its hard to argue what we have currently is remotely correct.  Decidedly innovative, its too bad he is not running still. There is no doubt he was the greatest threat to the current admin for a number of reasons.

Disappointing.

Michele Bachmann has been fighting the tea party fight in DC consistently, yet never got the full support she needed.  When Herman Cain dropped out, much of that support went to Newt.  If she had hung in at least to Florida, I believe she would have had a resurgence.  Next to Herman, she was the best representative of tea values in the recent slate.

And out of those left?

Paul - Out of the park wrong on foreign affairs.
Newt - Questionable values, probable opportunist.
Romney - Romneycare. (need we say more?)