Before the smoke from the 2008 presidential election has even begun to clear, whispers about potential candidates in 2012 have already surfaced.
Both Gov. Charlie Crist and former Gov. Jeb Bush have been mentioned as potential contenders for the Republican presidential nomination.
A Rasmussen Reports poll earlier this month listed Crist among those trailing top potential contender Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin for nomination.
Palin was chosen by 64 percent of Republican voters, while Crist captured 2 percent, according to the poll.
David Hedge, UF political science professor, said anything is possible.
Both Crist and Bush are visible figures, Hedge said, and a nomination would largely depend on whether they want to run and are willing to raise the money needed.
Michael Martinez, associate UF professor of political science, said both politicians are qualified.
Although a president from Florida probably wouldn't affect the state at a national level, candidates tend to do well in their home state, Martinez said.
With Florida as an important swing state, Martinez said it would make sense for the Republican Party to consider Crist as a potential nominee, as long as there are no major controversies that would alter his reputation before then. But 2012 is a long way off, he said.
Bush carries more baggage because of the low approval ratings of his brother, President George W. Bush, Martinez said.
A Gallup Poll Monday showed President Bush's approval rate at 27 percent, according to the group's Web site.
Hedge said he thought the Bush name could be a positive factor in the election because the family is part of a strong political network.
A presidential candidate from Florida would probably put more attention on the state in the form of extra ads and press, Hedge said, though Florida already gets attention.
Hedge said 2012 is still too far away to know who would make a stronger candidate.
The issues change with the times, he said, adding that, "the election was just over."
"People like to speculate," he said.
