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The 2012 Republican primary campaign has gotten off to a late and not-great start. Tim Pawlenty, Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney, and Jon Huntsman make up pundits' top tier, though not necessarily voters'. Pundits like Fred Malek say the GOP field is set, but many Republicans can't help but fantasizing that there's a better candidate out there, somewhere, a dude who'll sweep conservatives off their feet but also charm the independents into letting them stay out past curfew, maybe overhaul a few entitlements. Some had hoped Mitch Daniels would be that boy, but he opted out last weekend. Fantasy is always more appealing than reality. With the current crop wannabes failing to live up to the hopes of Republican supporters who want to unseat Obama, there's always the couldabes: the remaining GOP crushes that maybe, just maybe jump into the race. Chris Christie, Jeb Bush, Rudy Giuliani, Marco Rubio, and Paul Ryan: will any of them ask us out?
Potential Candidate: Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush
Recent Backer: Keith Koffler, writing in Tuesday's Politico
Why He's So Great: He was a popular two-term governor of a crucial swing state, he could help win back the Latino vote because he speaks Spanish and is married to a Latina, he appeals to religious voters because he was born Protestant but converted to Catholicism, he's southern but doesn't scare Yankees.
Significant Flaw Brushed Aside by Backer: He's George W. Bush's brother.