Article updated: 12/1/2012 5:52 PM

Romney’s loss creates GOP leadership vacuum

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Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal.

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Associated Press South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley.

Associated Press Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.

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Florida Sen. Marco Rubio.

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About this Article

The GOP was in disarray following its 2006 showing, searching for a new path and leader at a time when President George W. Bush was deeply unpopular.Arizona Sen. John McCain, the 2008 presidential nominee, briefly assumed control of a party that he long had criticized, but it never really warmed to him.