Chris Weigant, 05.11.2011

Political Writer and Blogger at ChrisWeigant.com

Because I'm trying to include simply everybody, this will necessarily have to be a very wide (and not very deep) look at all the possible candidates.

James Kotecki, 05.10.2011

Writer. Vlogger. Strategist.

Pawlenty's announcement video really does look at a lot like the Chrysler's Superbowl commercial about Detroit with Eminem.

David Helfenbein, 05.09.2011

political and media commentator

With the capture of Osama bin Laden, President Obama as Campaigner-in-Chief is back. The chessboard is heavily dominated in his favor, but it still is early in the game.

William Bradley, 05.08.2011

Political Analyst, NewWestNotes.com

If there was a worse week in which to hold the first Republican presidential debate, it's hard to think of when that might be. It's probably poetic ...

Alan Schroeder, 05.05.2011

Associate professor in the School of Journalism at Northeastern University

If the purpose of Fox News is to promote Republicans, the opening debate of campaign 2012 did little to advance the cause. The event was like a party all the cool kids boycotted, leaving only an assortment of nerds to whip up their own brand of fun.

Robert J. Elisberg, 05.03.2011

Political writer and screenwriter

That sucking sound you've been hearing is Republican presidential hopefuls going down the drain. Professional strength Liquid Plumber couldn't help now.

George Mitrovich, 04.28.2011

San Diego civic leader

Barack Obama's humiliation was brought on by circumstance over which he has no control -- the color of his skin. The birther movement was born by Obama's blackness.

Bob Cesca, 04.22.2011

Host of the Bob and Elvis Show

One of the frequent refrains from Republican Party barons is that President Obama is the worst president in American history. But if that's the case, why are they all too scared to officially declare a candidacy against him?

David Helfenbein, 05.05.2011

political and media commentator

There are four real contestants in the Republican primary. They are as follows, and in no particular order: Mitch Daniels, Mitt Romney, Jon Huntsman, and Tim Pawlenty.

Al Eisele, 04.18.2011

Editor-at-Large, The Hill

The good news about Republican presidential contenders is that there are a couple of decent prospects who might be ready to play in the big leagues. The bad news is that overall, this is the weakest lineup since the '62 New York Mets.

Arianna Huffington, 04.17.2011

Mitt Romney formed a presidential exploratory committee this week. So did Rick Santorum. The pair joined fellow Republicans Tim Pawlenty and former Louisiana Gov. Buddy Roemer, who have previously gone the exploratory committee route, and Newt Gingrich who, in early March, launched "Newt Explore 2012," a website that proclaims he is "excited about exploring" the idea of running for president. I guess that means that likely-but-not-yet-in candidates Mike Huckabee, Michele Bachmann, Haley Barbour, Jon Huntsman, Mitch Daniels, and Sarah Palin are exploring the idea of exploring the idea of an exploratory committee. Since when did all this political Lewis and Clarking become the norm of running for president? It's like announcing that you're forming a committee to see if you want to marry your girlfriend. Either you want to commit or you don't. Why would we want to support a candidate who needs to explore whether he or she wants to lead us?

Mary Ann West, 04.13.2011

Screenwriter

Appearance at GOP fundraiser is less than 24 hours after holding up the country. Stamford, CT -- On the heels of helping to avert the looming budget...

Robert J. Spitzer and Glenn C. Altschuler, 04.11.2011

Distinguished Service Professor, Political Science, SUNY Cortland; author of 13 books

Democrats, no doubt, are enjoying the spectacle of Donald Trump and Sarah Palin. But even if it enhances Barack Obama's prospects for reelection, we should all worry about the celebrification and trivialization of politics.

Will Bunch, 04.08.2011

Author, "The Backlash"

You'll probably hear a lot about how Beck coarsened the political debate, but I think the wreckage is a lot more substantive, to actual policies that affect Americans every day.

HuffPost TV, 04.05.2011

The Huffington Post's Howard Fineman appeared Monday night on 'The Last Word With Lawrence O'Donnell.' Fineman spoke about Tim Pawlenty's video respo...

Mark Joseph, 04.04.2011

Producer, author, talk show host and publisher of Bullypulpit.com

The connection between this average Texan and Senator Phil Gramm symbolizes something larger: the need for powerful people to stay in touch with people who can tell them hard truths.

James Zogby, 04.02.2011

President, the Arab American Institute; Author, "Arab Voices"

GOP 2012 presidential aspirants, courting their party's religious fundamentalist base are making truly outrageous comments about Islam and Muslims.

Spencer Green, 04.01.2011

Comedy writer, The Parallel Universe Film Guide

In a surprising political turn, a Presidential Exploratory Committee will itself be forming an exploratory committee to gauge a possible run for the Republican Presidential nomination.

Brad Friedman and Desi Doyen, 03.31.2011

Co-host of the radio's nationally syndicated 'Green News Report'

TWITTER: @GreenNewsReport. The 'GNR' is also now available on your cell phone via Stitcher Radio's mobile app!. IN TODAY'S RADIO REPORT: Obama...

Bob Cesca, 03.31.2011

Host of the Bob and Elvis Show

It seems obvious, but in order to be taken seriously, politicians have to be, you know, serious. Not just in terms of personality or behavior, but primarily in terms of policy and lawmaking.

Lincoln Mitchell, 03.28.2011

Harriman Institute, Columbia University

The Republican Party is increasingly difficult to unify behind a single candidate. By this time in the 2008, 2000, and 1996 election cycles there was already a clear front runner.