GOP Faces a Wide, and Shifting, Presidential Field

Lindsay Mangum, NPR

Totals are based on announcements from the campaigns. Sen. Barack Obama's campaign has not announced yet. Details on how of the money raised can be spent on the primaries versus the general election will be available April 15, when campaigns must file official reports with the Federal Election Commission.

With President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney off the ballot next year, the Republican Party is without an obvious White House candidate. The result is a growing — and confusing — Republican field.

So far, the identity of a true Republican front-runner remains a mystery, NPR's Mara Liasson tells Michele Norris. Former New York Mayor Rudy Guiliani looks strong early in the race, with impressive fund-raising numbers. That's in contrast to Arizona Sen. John McCain, who has shown a weakness in fund-raising and has lost momentum in the polls.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has raised the most money — raising $20 million — but he only has single-digit support in opinion polls.

The list of Republican presidential candidates has recently grown, with the additions of former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson, and Colorado Rep. Tom Tancredo.

The list could grow even more if former Sen. Fred Thompson enters the race. Even without formally declaring, the actor and lawyer who has been on Law and Order has garnered support in the polls.