Michelle Bachmann, Herman Cain, Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul, Tim Pawlenty, Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum all lost their hats; they are the growing few that have tossed their hats into the ring - the political ring that is.
That's right, they represent the beginning of the political landscape and the field is sure to grow like weeds with plenty of water.
All of them vying for a shot at Obama's administration, as it tenaciously attempts to keep the front door key to the White House on a ring of its own.
And, just like weeds, a lot of them will wilt and die off, fade into political dust as if they, too, had been sprayed with weed killer.
Being confronted, the current administration struggles to save face, as it popularity points vary with each news-breaking story.
Bin Laden - gone, and the administration's popularity soared, only to find a week later the toll of three wars, continued high unemployment, now wildly varying rising gasoline prices, and a real estate market that continues to head south, all have taken their toll the administration.
And America's debt bill continues to climb higher while China is poised to take over as the world's strongest economy.
China has invested in infrastructure, jobs, housing, and it is second to the United States in oil consumption.
It is in the midst of a housing boom, and is investing in research and development of alternative technologies and energy systems to ensure that it does not bleed its monetary reserves on foreign imports as the United States has done.
Meanwhile, American's continue to rely on Chinese made goods, everything from toys, to high-tech machines, while we remain mired in our service-based industries.
America has become a fast-food haven, its malls filled with imported goods from China and other foreign countries.
Why? Competition based on the global market has leaned to cheaper labor for the past decade.
Asian countries pay minimal wages in comparison to others.
America is one of the top three countries with the highest disposable income levels (Canada and Switzerland are two and three respectively) yet our growth pales in comparison to the Chinese marketplace, whose work force is churning out products by the hundreds of billions and is raking in revenues while America vainly tries to solve its climbing debt structure.
The bottom line here is exactly what will the candidate pool will look like when the dust settles.
Will Republicans field a team worthy of the White House? Will the candidate field sling the usual mud, hoping to bring out the worse in each other? Or will the party become united and partner up with big corporations, ones with willing CEO's and bulging bank accounts, ready to pour money into campaigns in an effort to keep their highest intentions and burgeoning salaries intact? Stay tuned America, but be prepared for the inevitable if our financial woes aren't resolved.
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