What they accomplished: the '12 hopefuls

In a few short weeks, the voting will begin. Former Governor of Massachusetts Mitt Romney and Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich are going to be the choice for republicans. While other candidates will be on the ballot, it is unlikely any of them will emerge as the nominee. Romney has been able to rally the establishment behind his campaign, where as Newt Gingrich has accomplished a great political comeback; in the summer of 2011, it looked as if Gingrich would not even make the final four, let alone be a front-runner. However, conservatives across the nation are now rallying to Newt Gingrich due to his campaign of ideas. While both Romney and Gingrich have accomplished things during the campaign, there are others who have also been able to accomplish something. Former CEO of Godfather's Pizza Herman Cain reminds us that people are more powerful than politicians. Cain became the first leading presidential candidate not in previously elected office since Dwight Esienhower's election in 1952. Cain's downfall was due not to politicians winning, but because desperate forces decided to lie about Mr. Cain. Congresswoman Michele Bachmann has helped advance the tea party movement as founder of the congressional tea party caucus and as a presidential candidate. Congressman Ron Paul has helped to bring republicans and libertarians together after years of libertarians being ignored by both the right and left. Governor of Texas Rick Perry was able to start a debate on illegal immigration, which ironically is probably what hurt him the most in this campaign. Former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania has alerted GOP primary voters and all Americans about the dangerous world we live in and the need for a strong America. Former Governor of Utah Jon Huntsman has reminded voters of the fact that experience can be an asset in a leader. But what does this all mean for the political future of all these hopefuls and for the general election? Ron Paul will likely pass the torch down to his son, Kentucky Senator Rand Paul. However, it would not be hard to envision Paul writing books and lecturing in the future. That being said, it is doubtful Paul will campaign for the GOP nominee. Rick Perry, on the other hand, will be an asset to the republican party in the general election in that he has connections to some big fundraisers in the state of Texas, and competing with Obama on that front won't be easy. Congresswoman Bachmann can be an asset to the republican nominee in rallying tea party groups across the nation behind the republican banner. Senator Santorum would be an asset to a republican nominee by being open to the media in analyzing the campaign from a republican perspective. Jon Huntsman would help the GOP by reaching out to independent voters in some more left-leaning states like Pennsylvania and Minnesota. However, it is my personal belief that Herman Cain will actually play the greatest role in the general election. Cain is the ideal surrogate; media friendly, scripted yet genuine, and he is not afraid to attack Barack Obama on the issues. All of the GOP candidates in this race have accomplished something, and although it appears the choice is between Mr. Gingrich and Mr. Romney, the others all have things they can be proud of as can their supporters.