Bob Kirkland is dead at the hands of Reede Smith. This list is becoming 
interesting. Since there is a "powerful" organization within the CBI, 
FBI, girl scouts of America and the Justice League, I think we need to 
organize the list into two groupings.Powerful Organization
1. Rede Smith
2. Sheriff McCallister
3. Gale BertramVisualize
1. Brett Stiles
2. Ray HaffnerSo
for the first four episode, we have seen which suspect of the list is 
associated too. From episodes 3 and 4, there we establish Kirkland 
stumbled upon a powerful organization, talks to Smith and gets shot. In 
episode 3 Smith is seen talking with Bertram and McCallister.It 
is established from what we have learned from episode 2 that Haffner is 
alined with Visualize as he is tasked with looking out with their best
interests gathered from his conversation with Lisbon.So here is 
the enigma, we know from the Red Barn that more than likely that red 
John is or was associated with Visualize. We have established that Brett
Stiles knows more about Red John than Patrick when we see them sitting 
on the park bench while Jane is there getting the location of Frye. 
However, given the events of episode 4 it begs to question is Red John 
in the Powerful Organization or more closely associated with Visualize?If
we take what Sophie Miller had stated in her notes, Red John is in good
health and middle age. This would potentially eliminate Stiles and 
Smith thus reducing the list down to three people. In looking at who 
would be the best fit, I would say it would have to come down to between
Bertram and Haffner just because both are associated with power and 
greater access. That is not to say that McCallister could have a means 
to position and access, but in looking at his status as a sheriff, I 
would think not.Besides I think this plot vise with the Powerful
organization, it would make since for Heller to save McCallister and 
Smith for this vise post Red John arc.The tiger tiger reference
is quite interesting because of the fact this is a password within this
organization. this phrase has also been associated with Red John as 
well. This would make one think that Red John is at the head of that 
organization and that would make the most since. Thus putting Bertram in
the prime stop light. However, like any organization, it takes great 
money and resources to pull this off. Thus Bertram would have to balance
the books and keep it on the down low. Hence this would bring Haffner 
back into the mix as he might have a great cash flow from Visualize.In
conclusion, I think Heller is setting up the post Red John arc with 
this organization. Patrick may catch the whale, but may realize that the
whale is apart of a pod as he has not demonstrated the knowledge of 
this organization, only Red John.

I wrote this as a further development of what has been explained in #6549 and #6687. The main fact of this open field of theories (not all mine) is that the Tyger tyger organisation and RJ are not linked or the same.

The Tyger club is clearly linked to William's Blake poem.

Everything we thought Red John was referring to in that peom about his relationship with Jane, now appplies to the Tyger club. The symmetry stuff, is like the two "faces" of the law. This meaning a "clean" organisation that work as outlaws, a sort of vigilante web, OR an organisation that commits crimes to "justify" or to ensure there's a reason to have a CBI. Like a pyromaniac fireman.  Have it be a regular maffia would be just lame, so I'd go with one of those two.

It is a possibility that the Tyger club is against Red John, this would be why Red John would give that clue, that warn, to Patrick. Or maybe RJ needs the tygers down to do something. Or he just tries to distract Jane with another huge net of illegal business that isn't his.

Asuming that Betram, McAlister and Smith are in the Tyger club and by the reasons given in previous posts the ones in the club can't be RJ, I think Haffner is a pretty obvious choice. But we have to go beyond. We have to think not only who the most logic suspect is withing the show, but also, why, as a writer, would you have it be him. Reasons outside the story.

RJ is a smart character. You would want a smart character not to commit suicide just for fun. If RJ has given Jane so many clues about himself with no reason, he'd be plain stupid. But if RJ, the smart RJ is willing to give up his identity it must be because the next move after he is found has already been planned. If I was RJ, the only reason i'd give up my name to you, who want to kill me, would be because there's something greater at stake. Same reason why I would have sent you so many messages to be friends in the past.

Clearly, the Tyger club being discovered by Jane is as or more important to RJ that his personal cat mouse game with Jane. Maybe without knowing, after being killed, or after he's discovered, Jane will fulfill RJs "pure" goal which is to combat corruption within C.L.E. Let's remember he has gained so many adepts so the guy must look and sound like a good, transparent, good-intentioned person. Maybe that's the symmetry of William Blake.

So the writers say Haffner. Obvious. The viewers say obvious =  boring. Oh but no.

 Maybe RJ being Haffner is a basal point to further developments in the series. Perhaps (not perhaps, clearly) to discover Roys real name isn't Jane's merit, but RJ's last or greatest move. Ray John (from now on..) can easily have better arguments than the other suspects to f*ck Jane's upcoming life.

Why? Lisbon. Plain and simple. If you were a writer, would you loose the possibility, no matter how obvious it is, to have a triangle between the killer, the inocent girl and the smart guy?

So many chances, for instance:

Ray forces Jane to "use" Lisbon somehow, as a beacon, as a hostage, as a messenger or whatever. RJ sets a scruple test for Jane. His major goal (killing RJ) for his major chance of redemption in life (Teresa). Would Jane cross the line? I think he will, and John will be killed, but Lisbon will be definetely separated from Patrick. Therefore the Blue Heaven. You can't have the pie and the cake at the same time.

Maybe Ray finally seduces Lisbon (I don't think this one's probable, but it's another possible way to go), so not only jane's past, but also his future would have the RJ stamp.Maybe he even kills her or threatens to.

Or whatever else you can imagine as an interaction between John, Jane, and Lisbon as a trading coin or object, may definetely change the game and the relation between Patrick and Teresa from a human POV. It's not just kill her, there are other layers to be exploited.
And there would be a strong moral Dilemma for Patrick.

That's why it's important that Red John and Lisbon share an independent link, not Jane mediated. And the only character that currently has it would be Ray Haffner. If bad handled, it's a mexican soap opera. Well handled, I think it's the most interesting path to go if I was the writer of the show.

Keep a continuity element after red john is gone (the tyger club) and change the relationship between Jane and Lisbon BECAUSE of Red John, not just "red john is dead, let's be a couple". More like "you used me, you were willing to let me die" sort of think. In the end Jane is a sociopath just as red john. Or perhaps he doesn't dare crossing the line and RJ wins.

Again, so many possible emotional and character developments and gamechangers with Haffner being red John, obviousness and surprise are not the only important things and factors in TV to design a show. We are caring so much about who red john is, and not about what he will do with this de facto couple, that is Jisbon. And I bet he will wanna do a mess, and the better positioned to do that is RH.

Lost, in the end was 100% surprise, and no interesting development of the characters. Surprise is overrated and I really hope the Mentalist doesn't fall in that burse 

In the beginning there were seven. Brett Partridge, Bret Stiles, Bob Kirkland, Reede Smith, Gale Bertram, Thomas McAllister and Ray Haffner.  In the first four episodes Brett Partridge and Bob Kirkland have been killed and eliminated. Leaving us with five suspects. 
In my opinion there is only man can be Red John and that is Raymond Haffner. I will explain why:
   First lets talk about the other four remaining suspects. 
Gale Bertram, Tom McAllister and Reede Smith are obviously members of this "Tyger, Tyger organization". Reede Smith as we saw is pretty much the "Hitman" of the group. Gale Bertram started and is the leader of the group. Tom McCallister is Bertram's right hand man and is used to keep an eye on Jane. Brett Partridge was the crime scene stager and clean up guy. I also believe that CBI Ron is part of this group. None of these men are Red John.     Bret Stiles isnt Red John either. He met Haffner when he was a troubled teen and took him in. Because of Bret Stiles Ray Haffner joined "Visualize" where he learned all of his techniques and skills. Brett Stiles was accused of killing Timothy Farragut during the early years of "Visualize". I believe Haffner has evidence proving Stiles committed the murder but came to an agreement with Stiles. Thats why Stiles wont reveal Red John's identity and protects him. 
 Before joining the CBI Ray Haffner was an FBI agent in the Organized Crime Division and is an expert in  . With those tools at his disposal Haffner likely found out about the secret "Tyger, Tyger" Organization. He then in Season 2 finale as Red John saves Patrick and recited that famous poem. " “Tyger, tyger, burning bright, in the forests of the night, What immortal hand or eye could frame thy fearful symmetry?”  It was simply a friendly warning to Jane to watch his back. He also says "RollTide". Hmmm...It just so happens that ray Haffner is a former football player.      Ray Haffner shows up in season 4 as the new supervising agent at CBI and Jane's boss. What better way to keep an eye on your biggest adversary and see exactly what you are up against. They even shook hands on screen.  People say Patrick played and outsmarted him when it was Haffner who was playing Patrick all along. Remember Haffner asking Cho if Patrick was smarter then him. Odd right?       Haffner leaves the CBI and starts his own private security agency.That along with his wiretaps and creative surveillance techniques is how he was able to figure out Jane's list of seven suspects. Haffner was also the person closest to the house where Partridge was killed and Lisbon Kidnapped. Instead of killing Lisbon Haffner draws a different smiley on Lisbon's face and even brushes her lips. Remember Haffner either has a thing for Lisbon or is in love with her.       Lastly Red John is a narcissist and master manipulator. Haffner always dresses nice and cares about his appearance. No other character was shown working out. Coincidence? Then we have the nurse coming into Lisbon's room looking for Camen Lee. Haffner was the only suspect to visit Lisbon in the hospital. I think he sent the nurse in first to see if Patrick was with her so that he could avoid Patrick, see Lisbon and Make sure Lisbon didnt know his true identity as RED JOHN.

Brett Partridge was part of the group, that was connected ot RJ.
thats why he said "lorelei's death doesn't count, it was an inside job", because he was involved.
in episode 1, jane said to partride "you really dont know why im looking at you  like this?", next scene
partride was dead, and bruno heller said that partridge's death was important in episode 1, and a prove
was the fact that partride said the password of the group "tyger tyger".

so why did they kill him? partride felt that jane is closing on him, the group felt that he's going to crack
and tell everything to jane and lisbon, so RJ killed him before he could snitch.

its haffner or mcallister, imo haffner.