2012 presidential race shapes up for GOP

WASHINGTON, Nov. 9 (UPI) -- Republicans thinking about a run at the U.S. presidency in 2012 might find the going tough as the field is filling up with established hopefuls, analysts say.

Established means people such as former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, U.S. News & World Report said Monday.

"We already have a relatively mature field," GOP pollster Bill McInturff said.

There's a finite amount of media coverage and attention available and that works "to the advantage of already established candidates like Palin, Huckabee, and Romney," he said.

The Republican Party customarily prefers to have a small number of big names in the primaries and leans toward candidates making a second try, U.S. News said.

Despite the dominance of the established candidates, some in the GOP are hoping for a new conservative face in the presidential race, like Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour or Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, the magazine said.