FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
While the dust settles from yesterday's historic Republican victory, it won't take a minute for attention to start to turn toward 2012.
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/11/03/art.palin.rally.jpg caption="Sarah Palin greets supporters during a rally."]
The end of the midterms marks the unofficial start of the presidential race, and by the looks of some Republicans, they're already on their way.
Several potential GOP contenders have been laying the groundwork. They're visiting the key early voting states of Iowa and New Hampshire, courting donors, building up strong fundraising operations and testing messages.
Some of these hopefuls include: former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Baptist minister and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, and of course former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin who recently proclaimed, "We can see 2012 from our house."
And what about President Obama? After his party took a real beating, the president has two years to fix what went wrong yesterday and secure a second term.
The biggest challenges for the president will be fixing the economy and rebuilding the coalition of voters that put him in the White House in 2008.
The president carried Independents two years ago, but they've since abandoned the Democrats. Big time.
If the economy doesn't turn around and the jobs don't come back, it could be a real uphill battle for re-election. A recent Associated Press/Knowledge Networks Poll suggests 47 percent of Democrats say President Obama should face a primary challenge for the nomination.
In the meantime, enjoy what will surely be a short break from the posturing, speeches, polls, debates, fundraising, mudslinging and on and on.
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Joe writes:
Jack, I really don't care anymore. As long as these two parties remain in power, we will have the same old, same old. Same partisan bickering, nasty campaign ads, ugly rhetoric… Hardworking Americans get fooled by the mirage that either party can "fix" the country's problems. Sick of it all.
David writes:
Shame on you, Cafferty, for even bringing this up just a day after such a trying election period ends. The wounds are still fresh and you are already getting started on creating new ones. Let's allow voters to heal from the onslaught they just endured, allow our newly elected officials to dig into their roles and have everyone experience some positive impact from the changes before contemplating the next challenge.
David in Cleveland writes:
"Need a break, coach!" Please, no more for a while.
Jon in San Francisco writes:
Of course, it's time to start in on the 2012 elections. Unfortunately, if the Republicans can't remove Sarah Palin from the list of contenders, we will not really have a true race for the presidency. Obama would win hands down and nothing we do will mean much of anything.
Nancy writes:
I actually think the 2012 presidential race began for the Republicans one second after President Obama was elected. They have been in constant campaign mode ever since. This is one of the reasons nothing is getting done in this country.
Ed writes:
Great, all the losers from the last election again. Real exciting.
Wade in Las Vegas writes:
This is just like the TV show "Lost." Nothing ever happens but people are still excited for the next episode.
Michael in New Mexico writes:
The day after the election, and you are already lining us up for the next one. Geesh, why don't you just hammer nine inch nails into my eyes?