2012 GOP Field Taking Shape: Let the Vetting Begin!

After some dithering from the major contenders, the 2012 Republican presidential field is finally starting to take shape. This year's candidates took longer to declare than their counterparts four years ago for several reasons, but one of the main deterrents for candidates is being exposed to the lengthy -- and often unsavory -- vetting process. As soon as a person's name is even mentioned as a possibility, teams of political aides from both sides of the aisle begin poring over public records and other documents to unearth anything that may derail the candidate. Even those who have not expressed a desire to run are often placed under scrutiny; the Obama team recently started digging into the background of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who is viewed as a strong candidate by the GOP but has expressed no intentions of running.

Undeclared taxes, promiscuity, and other indiscretions can quickly topple a promising presidential run. Of course, these allegations do not even have to be true to cause a substantial uproar -- just look at the conspiracies still circulating about the President's place of birth. With most of the candidates now declared or primed to do so, let's take a look at some of the dirty laundry they may be trying to keep from the limelight:

Mitt Romney: Viewed as one of the party's most promising candidates, Romney's greatest blemish is the healthcare plan he passed while serving as the Governor of Massachusetts, which is widely seen as the predecessor to the Obama health plan. Others believe that his religious affiliation (Mormonism) will prove a drawback.

Newt Gingrich: The adulterous acts of Newt Gingrich are well-documented, as are his numerous political flubs and foot-in-mouth moments. After disparaging comments about the Republican's new budget proposal and a tumultuous start to his campaign, it's hard to see his stock sinking any farther.

Tim Pawlenty: While several other candidates are in the race or are still flirting with the possibility of running, Pawlenty is viewed by many as the strongest contender capable of winning a general election against the incumbent, President Obama. No hidden faults have been exposed to date, but there are still several more months for people to examine and scrutinize his public records.