Given 12 years of Democratic rule, I'd guess that a wide field of Republican candidates would enter the race. Assuming that Sullivan doesn't pull a "George Allen," he would have a head-start on the nomination. I don't know if they ever showed Governor Swenson or not, but he could be a Bobby Jindal-like minority politician.



The smart money is that the Republicans would try to go back to the right after Vinick's centrist campaign. However, 2006 was a much, much closer election than 2008, so the Republican power brokers might want another centrist, moderate approach (perhaps if Santos shows a very liberal presidency, which is unlikely). I wouldn't count out right-wingers such as Walken or Butler, who seem to have significant power bases within the party.



I seem to recall a Santos campaign aide bringing up resentment that a Latino candidate was nominated before a black candidate, and various factions in 2006 wished for a female candidate (Amy Gardner and that pro-choice group). If the Republicans nominate one or both of those, they should at least nullify any "minority advantage" Santos has (although his four years should ideally do that anyway).



Governor Peggy Wade of Oklahoma, an enemy of Bartlet and pro-gun control, was most likely a Republican, so there's a woman you could throw in there. Governor Mike Reed of Ohio gave the keynote address (his "eight is enough" speech) at the 2006 RNC, and that's generally a spot for an up-and-coming politician. Vinick won't be in the election, but Robert Ritchie might try a desparate run for the nomination. He won't get it, but at least he'll fulfill Bartlet's prophecy that "he'll be back." Assuming Ritchie is roughly the same age as actor James Brolin, then he'd be roughly the same age as Vinick, seventy years old.



Senator Swain of Rhode Island, might be a good liberal Republican to throw into the race, assuming he didn't get Santos' offer of Defense Secretary. Senator Chris Carrick of Idaho, a former Democrat, might be funny to throw into the race just to see the look on Josh's face.



Of course these are all just based on running against Democrat Matt Santos. It's possible that Santos might not run again (despite his idealism, he always seemed ready and eager to retire from politics), which would open the floodgates for countless Democrats (and the series has shown plenty of viable Democratic candidates over the years). That'd be an interesting scenario. Also, if Josh, for some reason, felt that Santos was doing a horrible job (and/or if he was fired, as Santos could be talked into doing), he could just find some mediocre, idealistic mayor or something and propel that person to the nomination.