The Most Ideal Hypothetical Third Party Candidates

The most qualified Americans to run as third-party candidates in the 2012 US Presidential election, listed and ranked. The election is still more than a year away, but already the race of the GOP nomination is heating up. And thus far, none of the candidates really seem poised to break out of the pack and capture the nation's attention. Considering that Obama's popularity isn't what it was back in 2008, the road seems open for an exciting third-party candidate to make a real play for the presidency. But who should it be?

To make this list, candidates should be eligible to hold the office of President of the United States (so no children, fictional characters or Arnold Schwarzenegger) and likely to run as an independent third-party candidate (so no current Democratic or Republican office-holders.)

If you could have your pick of anyone to run against Barack Obama and the winner of the GOP Primary, who would it be? Would you go for a career politician with a clear, non-partisan vision for where to take the country? Or a true outsider from another profession or industry, who would have a innovative and fresh approach to policy? Is a businessperson or executive going to be a better fit for the highest office in the land than an academic or a lawyer? Think your favorite author, or pundit, or movie star deserves a shot? Vote for your favorite suggestions below or even add your own ideas for potential candidates. Who would you pick to run the country instead of the people running it right now?