COLUMBUS — No Republican has been elected president without carrying Ohio. That’s not likely to change in 2012.

While no current candidate has been compared to Abraham Lincoln — who won Ohio in 1860 and 1864 — the field appears set.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Sarah Palin, former Alaska governor and 2008 VP nominee, last week both said they’re not running.

Who do Ohio Republicans think has the best chance to win the state’s 18 electoral votes and kick Democrat Barack Obama out of the White House?

Three Dayton-Springfield area Republicans with different political perspectives tackled that topic: Rob Scott, president and founder of the Dayton Tea Party; state Rep. Ross McGregor of Springfield, a self-described moderate, and Greg Gantt, Montgomery County Republican Party chairman.

Scott, 29, likes Herman Cain, the former chairman of Godfather’s Pizza who’s never held elective office but has zoomed to second place in some national polls.

“Herman Cain has been more of a Tea Party rock star,” said Scott, a lawyer who worked on Republican Ken Blackwell’s 2006 gubernatorial campaign.

Cain came to Dayton’s Courthouse Square last October for a Tea Party rally.

“He took the time to walk through the crowd and shake hands with everybody,” said Scott who sees Cain’s lack of political experience as a plus.

“The elected officials we keep throwing up there in the White House obviously are not getting the job done,” he said. Cain’s business success could be the medicine the country needs, Scott said.

Scott’s OK with former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney or Texas Gov. Rick Perry.

Romney’s health care plan while governor of Massachusetts, however, is a worry, said Scott.

McGregor, 45, liked former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, a Republican who won in a blueish state. Pawlenty exited the race early.

“No use crying over spilled milk,” said McGregor.

Perry and Romney would bring necessary executive experience to the job that Obama lacked, said McGregor, a business executive.

McGregor appreciates Cain’s business success, but not his lack of political experience.

“I don’t think he has the necessary political experience to navigate what will undoubtedly be a remarkably partisan atmosphere,” McGregor said.

He’s still looking for the right candidate.

Gantt’s candidate, Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, never left the starting gate, mainly for family reasons.

Gantt, 45, had good things to say about Romney and Cain.

“I believe Romney has the background and ability to deliver the message,” said Gantt.

As for Cain, “I like the outside underdog,” Gantt added. Perry’s rise and subsequent decline in the polls means that “it’s going to take a few more weeks for him to settle in,” said Gantt.

A key goal is getting a GOP candidate who won’t drag down the rest of the ticket in a county that leans Democratic, he said. The presidential candidate needs to get at least 47 percent of the county vote, Gantt said.

“All my local candidates have a fair shot on their own merit as long as the top of the ticket doesn’t tank,” Gantt said.