Let the games begin.

With President Obama in Hawaii, lawmakers streaming away from Washington and the new year right around the corner, there’s no excuse to pretend anymore.

The 2012 presidential campaign is underway

Merry Christmas 2010, everybody! The New York Times has a look at the issues that matter most to the 2012 Republican presidential candidates. Probably the most important paragraph:

Politico reports that Mr. Pawlenty appears to be the only potential 2012 hopeful who has said he will attend a conference put on by the Hispanic Leadership Network next month. Mr. Thune, Mr. Romney along with Mitch Daniels, the governor if Indiana and Rick Perry, the governor of Texas, have all declined, Politico says. Many others have not yet replied.

If these Republican candidates think they can win the White House just on the straight white vote, this could be a highly entertaining election cycle.