Boehner Sees Wide-open Field For GOP In 2012

A minivan throws up walls of water while charging through floodwaters in Duluth, Minn., Tuesday, June 19, 2012, after heavy rains hit the area. Floods fed by a steady torrential downpour forced road closures in northeastern Minnesota on Wednesday, and some people were being urged to evacuate their homes because of the rising St. Louis River. Interstate 35 and downtown tunnels in Duluth were closed and police recommended emergency travel only, warning that numerous sinkholes and washouts were making travel dangerous. (AP Photo/The Duluth News-Tribune, Clint Austin) / Clint Austin

WASHINGTON (AP) - House Speaker John Boehner says he doesn't see a front-runner so far in the large field of potential GOP candidates for the White House in 2012.

He says he's never seen a more wide-open race for his party's nomination.

He tells NBC's "Meet the Press" that Republicans need to find someone who can paint a vision of the future that includes a smaller, less costly and more accountable government.

GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina says he's looking for "the most conservative person who is electable" - and that person hasn't emerged.

He says former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney probably is the front-runner among traditional candidates.

Graham tells CNN's "State of the Union" that the GOP has "a tall task," but that he thinks President Barack Obama is beatable.