Remaining Republicans

William Kristol:

Not running: Mike Huckabee, the 2008 runner-up; John Thune, the likeliest candidate from the Senate, the body that has produced the out-party candidate in 2008, 2004, and 1996; Mike Pence, who could lay as much claim as anyone to represent the conservative movement; and Haley Barbour and Mitch Daniels, effective two-term governors with impressive D.C. experience as well.

Pretty amazing.

It would be unfair to call the current field a vacuum. But it doesn't exactly represent an overflowing of political talent. And insofar as politics abhors even a near-vacuum, others are bound to get in. I now think the odds are better than 50-50 that both Rick Perry and Paul Ryan run. I also now think they (and others--Sarah Palin, Chris Christie, John Bolton) may not feel they have to decide until after Labor Day--or maybe even until October or even November. The field could well remain open and fluid until Thanksgiving.

Byron York:

At the moment, it appears certain that Rep. Michele Bachmann will enter the race, but the advisers do not appear to view her as a potentially major presence like New Jersey governor Chris Christie, former Florida governor Jeb Bush, or House Budget Committee chairman Paul Ryan.

Hugh Hewitt:

[T]he top two contenders -- Romney and Pawlenty -- have essentially locked up the campaign talent and the money commitments necessary to mount a traditional campaign.

(via Michael Barone, who reminds: "Only one of the In or Probably In candidates holds public office, and that is Ron Paul who in the House of Representatives is often on the minority side of 422-1 roll calls.")