[T]he number of serious contenders is small. If Huntsman doesn’t take off, the race could well be a two-man contest between Romney and Pawlenty. The Democratic wave elections of 2006 and 2008 left Republicans with few plausible contenders (although their own wave election of 2010 gives them a deep bench for 2016). And no candidate dominates the field, giving a misleading impression about the strength any of them would bring to the general election.
James Joyner nods. But Romney and Pawlenty have no starbursts, to recall a phrase. That matters in a president. Even Bob Dole was more interesting, if only because he was so Gen-Y funny. If either runs, each will have to put a Palin or Bachmann on the ticket. If Palin and Bachmann fail to beat them in the primaries.
The Dish 