The notion that the current Republican presidential field is weak or lackluster is being pushed by the same political know-it-alls who four years ago said that a glib state senator from Illinois who never held a private-sector job was just the ticket to bring “change” to the White House.

Look what that got us: a President who has squandered billions of our dollars on make-work projects; embraced the consummate con man, Al Sharpton; spread our armed forces thin in myriad wars; and who is now jeopardizing the security of democratic Israel to win favor with Arab terrorists.

On the contrary, the Republican field now shaping up has some very bright and capable individuals who have succeeded in both the public and private sectors on a large scale.

Tim Pawlenty and Mitt Romney have succeeded as conservative governors in big, left-leaning states. Newt Gingrich brought Republicans to congressional power for the first time in a half-century. Former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum has articulated and fought the good fight for moral order in immoral times.

These and other candidates are no second-stringers. They have solid records that are not pleasing to liberals or many pundits, but will be paid close attention to by Granite Staters over the next several months.

They deserve that attention. One of them may just end up being chosen to end a disastrous administration not seen since Jimmy Carter’s days.