The "Who is running?" tea leaves thread (Part 2)

[NewYorkExpress]

http://www.politico.com/story/2015/02/john-kerry-2016-elections-114992.html?hp=l2_4

John Kerry on 2016:

At the end of a wide-ranging interview airing Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” host Chuck Todd pressed Kerry, the 2004 Democratic presidential nominee, whether there was a scenario in which he would run again for president in 2016.

“I have no scenario whatsoever in my mind,” Kerry said. “I haven’t thought about it. As you can tell, pretty busy.”

When Todd asked, “is it a never say never?” Kerry replied: “Well, nobody says never. But I mean, I have no concept of it.”

This would be as ludicrous as Mitt Romney running again. Still, I'm curious to see what a head-to-head race between him and Biden would be like.

[NewYorkExpress]

While Gore is visiting Iowa in May, top aides say he's not running:

http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/al-gore-allies-hes-not-running-2016

That's actually smart... Gore arguably has more baggage than Hillary (ask Tipper/Al-Jazeera), and gains nothing (except assuaging a psychotic desire to destroy greater Clintonia) by running. He'd probably only beat Carson/Perry/Trump... and maybe Rubio or Ayotte/Paul on a good year for Democrats.

[NewYorkExpress]

Bush is reportedly vetting Sandoval as potential VP:

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www.reviewjournal.com/news/las-vegas/sandoval-said-be-jeb-bush-s-vp-short-list

Isn't it a little presumptuous of Jeb to already begin vetting VPs? Even calling him a weak frontrunner may be too generous. Stories like this could backfire on him.

That said, Sandoval would be a smart pick for Jeb. Everyone talks about how Romney needed a "true conservative" VP to mollify the base, and the same for Jeb. But the reality is that the base is/was going to turn out for them in large numbers regardless due to their fierce hatred of Obama/Hillary.

Hillary did the same thing in 2008...take a look how that turned out.

[NewYorkExpress]

Carson announcing early May.

Well, the GOP found a black guy to run. I suppose the dems should concede the black vote now.

Herman Cain would like a word with you.

[NewYorkExpress]

Looks like Pataki will be running after all.

I stand by my prediction that he has a 0% chance (not close to 0, but real, actual zero) of winning the nomination. But still, welcome to the race, Mr. Pataki.

He'd actually be in a good position if Jeb, Christie and Kasich all collapse (especially since the more conservative wing will be even more divided). He might force his way onto the ticket with a solid performance in New Hampshire at a minimum.

[NewYorkExpress]

Looks like Pataki will be running after all.

I stand by my prediction that he has a 0% chance (not close to 0, but real, actual zero) of winning the nomination. But still, welcome to the race, Mr. Pataki.

He'd actually be in a good position if Jeb, Christie and Kasich all collapse (especially since the more conservative wing will be even more divided). He might force his way onto the ticket with a solid performance in New Hampshire at a minimum.

Pataki is a shoe-in once Jeb, Walker, Paul, Carson, Christie, Fiorina, Kasich, Cruz, Huckabee, Rubio, and Perry collapse.

Cruz, Huckabee, Carson, and Perry are fighting for a different base of voters, so Pataki only has to win the Moderate primary (plausible) and then win against the Conservative Primary's winner and Rand Paul (much less likely) to get the nomination.

I'd rate his chances at about 10%, same as Fiorina, ahead of Perry, and just behind Kasich.

[NewYorkExpress]

Looks like Pataki will be running after all.

I stand by my prediction that he has a 0% chance (not close to 0, but real, actual zero) of winning the nomination. But still, welcome to the race, Mr. Pataki.

He'd actually be in a good position if Jeb, Christie and Kasich all collapse (especially since the more conservative wing will be even more divided). He might force his way onto the ticket with a solid performance in New Hampshire at a minimum.

Pataki is a shoe-in once Jeb, Walker, Paul, Carson, Christie, Fiorina, Kasich, Cruz, Huckabee, Rubio, and Perry collapse.

Cruz, Huckabee, Carson, and Perry are fighting for a different base of voters, so Pataki only has to win the Moderate primary (plausible) and then win against the Conservative Primary's winner and Rand Paul (much less likely) to get the nomination.

I'd rate his chances at about 10%, same as Fiorina, ahead of Perry, and just behind Kasich.

Fiorina has a 10% chance at the nomination? LOLOLOLOL

I think the only Republican is DOA at this point is Lindsey Graham.... It's just too unstable to write off anyone else.