Likely GOP Candidates in 2012 Lying Low

While presidential campaigns have started earlier and earlier in recent elections, the Republicans are doing it differently this time around, Politico reports. Likely candidates are reluctant to start openly campaigning for 2012, worried about shooting themselves in the foot.

That contrasts smartly to four years ago, when Mitt Romney and John McCain already were fighting for the support of party big wigs, donors and even down to county sheriffs in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina, the early primary states.

That’s not happening this time around. They don’t want to risk alienating party activists by promoting themselves at a time when the GOP’s focus is on the mid-term elections. The only exception is Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty.