Boehner sees wide-open field for GOP in 2012

[February 14, 2011]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- House Speaker John Boehner says he doesn't see a front-runner so far in the large field of potential GOP candidates for the White House in 2012.

He says he's never seen a more wide-open race for his party's nomination.

He tells NBC's "Meet the Press" that Republicans need to find someone who can paint a vision of the future that includes a smaller, less costly and more accountable government.

GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina says he's looking for "the most conservative person who is electable" -- and that person hasn't emerged.

He says former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney probably is the front-runner among traditional candidates.

Graham tells CNN's "State of the Union" that the GOP has "a tall task," but that he thinks President Barack Obama is beatable.

[Associated Press]

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