“Sen. Jim DeMint, the conservative star from South Carolina, is keeping a close eye on the emerging 2012 presidential field. New names, he observes, keep popping up. One of those, of course, is former Florida governor Jeb Bush. Rich, Kathryn, and John have all written about Bush’s appeal in recent days.

“DeMint, in an interview with National Review Online, calls Bush ‘one of the best’ possible presidential contenders. ‘Maybe the person we are looking for has not stepped out yet; it could be a Rick Perry or a Jeb Bush.’

“‘[Bush] would be a really good president and a good candidate,’ DeMint says. ‘He had a solid record as governor; he showed that he was willing to push innovative things in education and elsewhere.'”

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“While he says he’ll consider another presidential bid, ex-mayor Rudy Giuliani’s 2008 campaign committee still reported itself $2.7 million in debt just a few weeks ago. He’s said a Sarah Palin candidacy might make him more likely to jump in, but some who have known him for a long time believe Giuliani could be her running mate for vice president, for a ‘balanced’ ticket…”

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“He could pretend he’s moving to the center, but has no desire to.” Click the image to watch.