The GOP 2012 Nomination: A Case of Last Man Standing?

It's official: If DC pundits consider you a contender for the GOP nomination in 2012, then it's just a matter of time before you are publicly humiliated (or sent to China.) Seriously. In light of Sanford's stunning admission of an affair today, let's take stock:

• Governor Kenneth the Page, um I mean Bobby Jindal: The Louisiana Governor was a bright spot in a gloomy Republican landscape early this year. But it didn't last. Jindal delivered the Republican response to Obama's speech to a Joint Session of Congress in February, and it was, well, a bit weird. Your Gaggler has seen Jindal speak several times. He's usually engaging, serious and forceful. But that night, he was just plain goofy - all smiles and vocal inflections. The response, which prompted comparisons to (and a very funny video by) 30 Rock's Kenneth the Page was pilloried by comics and critics alike. We haven't seen much from him since.
• Governor Sarah Palin: Palin made her national debut last year amid uncomfortable stories about her then 17 year old daughter's unplanned pregnancy. (No doubt a humiliating experience for Bristol.) This year the Alaska Governor has been making all sorts of unflattering headlines. There was the money she had to pay back to Alaska for trips she had taken with her children and her odd "will she-won't she" tango over her appearance at a Republican fundraiser. Then there's her spat with Levi Johnston, the father of her grandson. To top it all off, her most extensive time in the spotlight recently has been due to some crude comments made about her and her family by David Letterman. That list hardly screams "presidential."
  
• Senator John Ensign: Can you believe that just one week ago we were discussing the affair of a different GOP presidential contender? Ensign's six month long dalliance with a campaign staffer, who was married to one of his Senate staffers sounded bad enough. But add to that sordid details like that he was essentially blackmailed into admitting the affair, and the sound you will hear is the death knell for his fledgling presidential aspirations.
  
• Former Speaker Newt Gingrinch: We're not sure this one qualifies as humiliating per se, but it was pretty darn awkward. Gingrinch made headlines recently when he accused Obama's Supreme Court Nominee Sonia Sotomayor of being a racist. He soon had to recant his words.
• Utah Governor John Huntsman: Now this guy seems to have been entirely above board. No debauchery to report about Huntsman, but that may have been his problem. Obama sent the appealing, squeaky clean, Mandarin speaking Huntsman as far away from the Iowa caucuses as he could: China. Huntsman is now U.S. Ambassador there, where he's working for the man he may have rivaled, and is conveniently out of the political headlines.

Amongst the wreckage, two men are left standing: Mitt Romney, former Governor of Massachusetts and Tim Pawlenty, Governor of Minnesota. With the never-ending Senate recount in his state, Pawlenty's had his fair share difficulties this year. So I guess that leaves one. Watch out Mitt. The curse might get you too.