November’s midterm elections loom in both the minds of Washington officials and voters alike.

As Democrats face difficult votes such as the stimulus, bailout, cap-and-trade and, above all else, health care, it’s no surprise that Republicans will make gains in both the House and the Senate.

More troubling is this week’s poll conducted by Rasmussen Reports, which shows the GOP has a wide lead over Democrats (46 percent to 36 percent) on a generic Congressional ballot. Furthermore, independent voters, a key constituency to Democrats’ victory in 2006 and 2008, now prefer the Republican candidate by a 2-1 margin.

These numbers, coupled with President Obama’s sagging approval ratings in key electoral states, make 2012 all the more relevant. But just who would take on incumbent President Obama? You might want to keep these people in the back of your mind.

In it to win itMitt Romney: The former governor of Massachusetts is still considered by many as the frontrunner in the GOP’s nomination. Romney’s credentials in business make him an attractive alternative to Obama if the economy remains sluggish, unemployment high, and anxiety over government spending a top issue. However, voters are still reluctant about his Mormon faith and his flip-flopping on critical social issues like abortion and stem cell research. More interestingly will be how Romney distances himself from his own fix to health-care and the much opposed Obamacare.

Opts outSarah Palin: John McCain’s former running mate, heir apparent, and former governor of Alaska maintains a huge support base even after she’s left public office. Palin has raised millions of dollars through book deals and speaking engagements. She has publicly committed herself to re-electing various incumbent GOP officeholders such as McCain and Rick Perry. Though strong with her base, Palin polarizes Independents and Democrats. But, voters still worry if she has the experience for the nation’s top job.

Gaining steamTim Pawlenty: The current governor of Minnesota has become a figurehead of GOP opposition to Obama’s stimulus and foreign policy on the various talk shows. Pawlenty is not seeking re-election in 2010, increasing speculation that he is laying the groundwork for 2012. Pawlenty’s approval rating of the mid-50s indicates his ability, if chosen, to place the upper Midwest into play for the GOP. However, he lacks national identity among voters and party activists.

Rising starMitch Daniels: One of the few GOP victories on election day in 2008, Daniels was re-elected by an overwhelming 18-point margin to Indiana’s top office. His tenure during the Bush administration at the Office of Management and Budget is yet to be determined as a liability; he was one of the few working towards “fiscal restraint” during the Bush years. Daniel’s record of reforming government, reducing taxes, balancing the state’s budget, and gaining a 70 percent approval rating from voters  identifies him as an enticing dark horse in the midst of more well-known nominees.

Just a hunchRick Perry: the second longest serving governor in U.S. history, Perry is a household name in Texas and becoming one to the nation. Perry’s criticism from Obama’s stimulus, health-care and education reform is setting the stage for a challenge once again from the lone star state. Perry has the discipline, money and voter identification. Perry’s record of lowering taxes and reducing government will play into the larger narrative of Washington gone wild come 2012. Perry has vulnerabilities, of course like defeating Houston Mayor Bill White in 2010, but I wouldn’t count him out.