They all have mentioned......or had their followers mention running as "Independent" for President. http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-57333208-503544/trump-i-could-enter-presidential-race-in-may/ Nobody's really talking much about this right now, but I think having a 3-Way race in 2012 seems pretty likely. 1) Do you think that there will be a significant non-Dem/Rep. candidate in 2012? 2) If so, who do you think it will be? Paul, Huntsman, Trump, or someone else? 3) Do you think they would have a shot at winning?
Not now.....But anyone with the proper filings, some name recognition, and some cash can realistically declare themselves a candidate.
It was a third candidate (Ross Perot) that got Clinton elected, so that is always something to consider. Ron Paul has avid supporters. Many who are supporting him in the GOP primaries will not vote in the general for someone who is not libertarian. He could do a bit of damage to the GOP candidate, the most of the three listed, but has not done so in the past so I don't see why he would do it this time around. He has run for President every four years for as long as I can remember. Trump is only taken serious by a tiny handful of birthers. I could see him getting someone like Jane Fonda for a VP running mate and trying to get some press for himself. No one would take him serious. Huntsman can only generate 1% support in the primaries. He might pull maybe a couple hundred votes away from the GOP. He'll be dropping out soon with no money and no support. Perhaps the reason Barney Frank is giving up his seat is so that he can mount an independent presidential run.
