Top Republican would like to see Paul Ryan run in 2012

Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) insists he's not running for president in 2012, but there are still high-level Republicans who'd like to see the Budget panel chief dive in among a field of candidates who've yet to excite the GOP.

Asked today if he'd like to see Ryan challenge President Obama in 2012, the number two House Republican, Eric Cantor, (R-VA) said "sure."

"Paul's about real leadership," Cantor said. "Again, I think that's what this public so desperately wants to do right now is they want to see Washington lead."

Conventional wisdom says the GOP field of candidates to run against Obama in 2012 is basically set. Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney leads the pack, and the money race, of candidates expected to get in. Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty made his candidacy official today.Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is recovering from a tough campaign launch. Former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman tested the waters in New Hampshire over the weekend and Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) will likely run as well.

But many Republicans, including Cantor, are resisting the notion the field will look the same come primary season as it does today.

"Our field is a field that still has a lot of time" Cantor said. "I think the candidates who are in the race are strong candidates. It is early still. These campaigns will begin to focus as the primary season nears."

Cantor said that at the very least, he'd like to see Republican candidates embrace the House GOP Medicare plan spearhead by Ryan. The plan overhauls the entitlement program by giving recipients a voucher to purchase private health insurance on an exchange.

Cantor said House Republicans are setting the bar-and the direction-for the 2012 GOP field.

"I'm looking for them to embrace our formula in the Ryan budget. I'm looking for them to embrace a leadership role that takes tough positions," he said.

Ryan ruled out the possibility of running for president on NBC's Meet the Press on Sunday.

"I am not running for president," Ryan said. "I am not planning on running for president. If you are running for president, you've got to do a lot of things to line up a candidacy. I have not done any of those things. It's not my plan."

Ryan said he wants to continue to focus on his work as House Budget Chairman. The Wisconsin Republican also ruled out a Senate run earlier this month.