Mitt Romney is considered by many in the Republican Party to be
the front-runner for the 2012 nomination although his 2008
presidential campaign collapsed after a second-place caucus
finish to Mike Huckabee in Iowa, a state in which Romney had been
considered strong.  Romney, a Harvard graduate and longtime
venture capitalist is revered for his financial knowledge.  Many
believe that Mitt Romney is the most qualified candidate to help
the now struggling US economy.

The former Massachusetts governor has just announced the March 2
release of his newest book, 'No Apology: The Case for American
Greatness' and will strike out on a 18 state national book tour. 
The tour includes his third trip to Iowa, an early battleground
state, since the 2008 election. Romney will also visit the early
GOP primary states of New Hampshire and South Carolina.

The title of the new book refers to what Romney describes as
President Obama's pattern of apologizing for American behavior in
speeches abroad, such as his conciliatory speech in Cairo over
the summer to the Muslim world.  Eric Fehrnstrom, a Romney
spokesman said, "The book is more than a critique of the Obama
presidency.  The book itself is primarily forward-looking."

It does in fact seem as though Mitt Romney is forward-looking to
the 2012 republican nomination. Mark McKinnon, a former adviser
to President Bush and 2008 Republican nominee John McCain stated,
"Romney is playing things very methodically and deliberatively. 
I think he understands the physics of this game very well now and
is carefully calibrating his approach to 2012."
		

Judging from history, Barack Obama will most certainly win the
nomination of his Democratic Party in 2012.  Alas, both Democrats
and Republicans alike have always supported their man in the
presidency.  Being voted in for a second term however is not
necessarily a given, as seen more recently with the losing
second-term candidacies of George Bush sr. in 1992 and Jimmy
Carter in 1980.

Although Barack Obama still leads all comers in the polls his
numbers have slipped dramatically, mostly due to huge government
spending.  Obama now has a  Presidential Approval Index rating of
-18 and is among one of the lowest supported presidents following
an initial year in the office.  Many believe that the unpopular
decisions which Obama is now making are difficult and necessary
steps leading to a more prosperous and peaceful America in the
years ahead.

We expect to see Democrats take on Obama and announce their
candidacy for the 2012 nomination; fewer if Obama's popularity
rises and more should his popularity fall.  The odds against
these candidates are great as it would be very difficult for
either political party not to support their man in office. 
Persons entering the 2012 race on the Democratic side would be
looking more to gain experience and recognition than the
nomination of the party.  Democratic veteran hopefuls such as
Hillary Clinton are setting their sights for the 2016 election.

Ultimately the prospect of a second Obama term depends on his
accomplishments over the next two and a half years and the
perspective of those accomplishments in the eyes of the American
people.  The economy, healthcare and other issues of the day are
among the hundreds of national and international issues upon
which Barack Obama will be judged in 2012.