On the subject of 2016

[Phony Moderate]

Let's assume that Obama is re-elected next year. It would leave the following potential 2016 candidates in a dilemma.

Mike Lee
John Thune
Rand Paul
Marco Rubio
Michael Bennet

All of the above are up for re-election to the Senate in 2016. What decision do you think they will make? Run for re-election to the Senate, or for election to the White House?

[Heimdal]

It is an interesting question.

Both John Thune and Mike Lee could decide to stay in the Senate, since they represent safe Republican States. And Mike Lee is young enough to wait. I'm not sure how old John Thune is.
Of the lot, the only ones I can see making a run for the White House are Marco Rubio and Michael Bennet.
Rubio is very well liked by the grassrots, and the establishment could probably also get behind him. It also helps that he's Cuban and represents a big swing State.
Bennet survived the onslaught of 2010 (against a somewhat flawed opponent though), and represents a Western swing-state. He (and Governor Hickenlooper) are the sort of people the Democrats need to balance out the Barnie Franks and Nancy Pelosis of their party. He probably should complete a full term in the Senate though. That goes for Marco Rubio as well.

[I Am Feeblepizza.]

John Thune will be 55 in November of 2016 and will turn 56 about two weeks prior to January 20, 2017. He'll be Herman Cain's age in 2028 and will still be younger than McCain and Dole in 2032. So yeah, Thune can probably wait for a long time to come.