2012 presidential field: 156 and counting

With seven GOP presidential candidates on stage for the debate in New Hampshire this week and more high-profile potential entrants in the wings, you may be having trouble keeping track. But what about the other 60 or so Republicans who have officially joined the race?

As of mid-week, 156 people had filed paperwork with the FEC declaring their intent to run for president next year, Eric Ostermeier reports at Smart Politics, a blog of the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs. Of those, 67 filed as Republicans, 18 as Democrats and 51 as independent or unaffiliated candidates.

Among them are two Bushes, neither named George; a Rutherford B. Hayes; a Robert Lee; and two candidates who listed their first names as “President.”

About half filed this year, but others apparently like to plan ahead: Two filed in 2008, one in 2007, two in 2006, and one in 2002. And speaking of early-birds, one candidate already has his name in for the 2020 campaign.