GOP Presidential Candidates Aren’t Fundraising Well

GOP Presidential candidates aren't fundraising well, which reflects the much noted lack of enthusiasm among Republican primary voters heading into 2012.

For the second quarter of 2012, here's how much they raised:

Herman Cain: $2.5 million

Jon Huntsman: $4.1 million

Tim Pawlenty: $4.2 million

Ron Paul: $4.5 million

Mitt Romney: $15 to $20 million

Romney is doing well. All of the other candidates, however, are not.

In the same period in 2007, Barack Obama raised an astounding $32 million and Hilary Clinton raised $27 million. On the Republican side in 2007, John McCain took in $11 million.

If any of these Republicans want to beat Barack Obama, who is a bona fide fundraising beast, they need to generate the same buzz he did in 2008 and raise much bigger war chests than they have now.

Why is the Republican field so weak this year?

Perhaps the biggest reason is that the three (arguably) most electable GOP candidates - Jeb Bush, Mike Huckabee, and Chris Christie - decided to not run for one reason or another.

Palin, a GOP favorite but probably not electable in the general election, still has everyone guessing.

What's left is a smattering of mostly amateurs, outcasts, and no names.

The no names are Gary Johnson, Jon Huntsman, Rick Santorum, and a bunch of even lesser known people.

The outcast is Ron Paul and Herman Cain. The amateur is Herman Cain (again) and formerly Donald Trump.

So who has the best chance of winning the GOP nomination?

Romney, who dominates fundraising and frequently tops the polls, probably has the best chance, although he's arguably the least charismatic candidate in the race.

Ron Paul and Herman Cain, with their grassroots campaigns, have a shot in the dark.

Michele Bachmann, who just entered the race, could be the surprise candidate to win it all.

She's got decent name recognition, has enough backing from the Republican Party leadership, and generates excitement among voters. Her one strength that's often overlooked is her fundraising prowess.

In the general election against Obama, though, Romney likely has the best chance because he's moderate and can target independents with his economy-centric campaign message.