As the field for the Republican primary season becomes clearer in the upcoming months, South Carolina Sens. Jim DeMint and Lindsey Graham will likely provide ample help in determining who faces President Barack Obama in 2012. Both senators are now accustomed to rallying support for other candidates, as Graham frequently traveled with Sen. John McCain during his 2008 presidential run, and DeMint provided seemingly unrivaled support for Tea Party candidates during the 2010 midterm elections.
Of those currently speculated to run in 2012, it seems fairly reasonable that both senators from the Palmetto State have already picked their favorites. DeMint has quickly gained popularity with certain circles in the GOP. His endorsements of candidates such as Christine O'Donnell and Rand Paul during the 2010 midterm election show where his preferences will lie in 2012. With that said, it seems likely that he will side with two of the more recognizable candidates in the race if they choose to run.
In the 2008 primary season, DeMint went against Graham with his endorsement of Mitt Romney over McCain, and it is easy to imagine that he would once again get behind the former governor of Massachusetts. In fact, in an interview with Politico.com about his preferences for 2012, DeMint said Romney was "obviously near the top of [the] list."
An even more likely choice for the senator from Greenville would be former Alaskan Gov. Sarah Palin. Not only are they favorites of the Tea Party, but DeMint also referred to Palin as someone who has "done more for the Republican Party than anyone since (former President) Ronald Reagan."
It is less clear what kind of a candidate Graham would be interested in endorsing. While he is obviously an established conservative, Graham has been under fire more than once for challenging the Republican line. Consequently, it seems reasonable to view Graham as more of a bridge builder than his fellow senator from South Carolina, but it is hard to pinpoint any of the current GOP contenders as following that same pattern. Graham may end up pulling for a lesser-known candidate. One in particular, Sen. John Thune from South Dakota, has caught the eye of many in the party, and his stances on energy reform would likely help in gaining an endorsement from Graham.
As with all political races, it comes down to money and popularity. While the two Palmetto State senators will have the ear of those pining for the White House, many factors out of their control will decide who Obama meets in the general election in November 2012.
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