Bobby Jindal

The dust has barely settled on the 2008 elections -- in fact, in a few Senate and House contests, ballots are still being counted -- but possible presidential contenders are already building foundations they will need to put them ahead of the pack in time for the 2012 Iowa caucuses, a scant 38 months away. For Republicans, the early key to success is holding a governorship, and at least half a dozen chief executives are expected to at least consider a bid for president.

As the Republican Party reels from a second straight electoral drubbing, the surviving office-holders and remaining opinion leaders are taking solace in their belief that the country remains fundamentally a center-right nation and therefore their party has a path back to victory.
  But that assumption is fundamentally troublesome. Evidence suggests voters have made a clear choice in turbid economic times and have placed as priorities issues that overwhelmingly favor Democrats. Republicans, therefore, will have to re-evaluate the issues on which their party needs to focus while reshaping their message on other issues. It is a prospect few in the party are excited about.

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