Scott Not Running For President
MIAMI (CBSMiami.com) – Not that anyone was asking him, but Florida GOP Governor Rick Scott told reporters that he will not be running from president in 2012.
Scott, who's still learning on the job how to be governor, is the latest in a string of prominent Republicans who have decided against running against President Barack Obama.
For Scott, it was likely an easy decision. He's facing angry voters in Florida and has quickly risen to be one of the most unpopular governor's in the country according to several polls.
Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels, who was viewed positively by many Republicans, withdrew his name from consideration in the past week as well.
Among the names of who is running for the GOP nomination are: former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, Congressman Ron Paul, and former Godfather's Pizza CEO Herman Cain.
The eclectic field is likely to lose Gingrich in the coming weeks and months after his campaign rollout included criticism of the GOP budget authored by Congressman Paul Ryan. The budget seeks to privatize Medicare and has deep cuts to Social Security and other programs.
Scott said there are "a lot of great candidates" in the GOP field and there will likely be more. Among those rumored to be possible candidates: former Alaska governor Sarah Palin, Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann, and former U.S. ambassador to China for President Obama, Jon Huntsman.
