Since this photo was taken in September, the number of Republican presidential candidates has dropped to six
There are very few certainties in life but if it is a year that is divisible by four, you can bet with little reservation that a US presidential contest is in full swing as the new year is ushered in. 2012 is no different from its predecessors in 2008, 2004 and the turn of the century in 2000. I've been taking some time off from my journalism studies during the winter break period but I haven't been ignoring what is playing out in the print and television media. In the spirit of full disclosure, I will admit that I am a political 'junkie' and follow the activities of the federal government to the degree that some subscribe to Las Vegas gaming odds on sporting events and the various rationales on which those predictions are based. Since I moved around so much during my adult life, I don't have the same level of fanaticism towards state or local politics (although some races--and politicians--do capture my attention from time to time).