Sunday Show Hosts Trade '12 Predictions At CSIS Summit

CBS' Bob Schieffer, ABC's George Stephanopoulos and NBC's David Gregory traded stories, WH '12 predictions and interviewee wish lists this evening during a wide-ranging "Sunday Show Summit" hosted by the Center for Strategic and Interational Studies (CSIS).

On WH '12, Gregory named no names, but predicted, "I don't think the challenge to Obama will come from Washington. It'll come from the ranks of governors."

Schieffer said that MN Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) "may wind up as the strongest Republican candidate" due to his blue-collar background, his biography and his charm. "He can sometimes say the same thing that, say, Rush Limbaugh says," but say it in a way that people will nod their heads, Schieffer noted. He cautioned, though, that the GOP is "getting its leaders mixed up with its cheerleaders" right now.

Stephanopoulos said that ex-MA Gov. Mitt Romney (R) looks like the strongest candidate at the moment, in part because he "went out there and got beat" in '08.

On the topic of health care reform, Stephanopoulos said that it's going to be "almost impossible" to get all Americans covered. From today's Obama presser, he noted, it is becoming clear that the president will "be willing to compromise just about anything" to get health care reform passed, including a bill without a public option.

Gregory said that Obama "needs a signature legislative achievement" on his domestic agenda, which is why health care reform has become such a priority. He added that the admin. has not been successful so far in selling the public on the notion of gov't intervention, so GOPers now have a "roadmap" to oppose Obama on health care and other proposals.

Asked to name their "most sought-after" Sunday show guests, Schieffer said he'd "love to hear from" Sec/State Hillary Clinton. Stephanopoulos and Gregory pointed to FLOTUS Michelle Obama.

And Schieffer quipped: "Even better would be that dog." That dog is Bo Obama, of course.

(FELICIA SONMEZ)