¿Está la puerta abierta para un nuevo candidato?

El Washington Post responde afirmativamente a la pregunta:

A vast reservoir of the Republican Party establishment — including elected officials, donors, strategists and activists whose support fuels presidential campaigns — remains untapped, say 19 major donors, strategists and party officials in 13 states interviewed this week.

Party leaders said they are waiting to see which candidate can build and finance a national campaign, hone a strong economic message and, most of all, appear capable of defeating President Obama.

They said that although the campaigns of former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty and former Utah governor Jon Huntsman had gotten off to disappointing starts, they remain convinced that either can be a strong candidate and are open to backing them.

Many also had not ruled out getting behind former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, although broad swaths of the party are not convinced that he’s a sure bet.

“We’re looking for a convincing, compelling, dynamic, intelligent person that we feel can win,” said former Nevada governor Bob List, a member of the Republican National Committee. “That person might or might not be in the race.”

One person who does not seem to be under consideration by party insiders is Sarah Palin. Only one of the 19 interviewed for this article mentioned the former Alaska governor, who was quoted this week as saying she’s still considering a bid.

With the Iowa caucuses six months away, the 2012 race is more fluid than the 2008 presidential campaign was at this stage, when much of the GOP establishment had chosen either the eventual nominee, John McCain, or one of his rivals. This time, many establishment types plan to hold off on offering their support well into the fall.

They are most intrigued by Perry, who is regarded as a trusted social conservative with a strong economic record.

Many of Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour’s supporters, who have largely stayed on the fence since he decided against running, are preparing to back Perry, said Henry Barbour, the governor’s nephew and a member of the RNC.

“I hope he does run,” said Henry Barbour, who said he would endorse Perry. “I’ve talked to a number of folks who were going to support Haley had he run, and a good percentage of them are very favorable to a Perry candidacy. . . . He’s got a great record in Texas, we align with him philosophically and he can win. It’s that simple.”

In New Hampshire, where Romney has a deep organization and is the favorite to win the first primary, two leading Republicans estimated that as much as two-thirds of the state’s establishment figures have not endorsed a candidate. That includes the congressional delegation, sheriffs representing the two largest counties, nearly every state senator and the state House speaker.

“It’s a huge opening for Rick Perry — huge, huge, huge,” said New Hampshire operative Mike Dennehy, who is neutral in the race and who held senior positions in both of McCain’s campaigns. “If he announces and really announces with a bang, he could gobble up a solid third of the Republican Party establishment in New Hampshire and, I do believe, nationally.” (...)