The "Who is running?" tea leaves thread

[RogueBeaver]

Hmm... if Ryan doesn't run then that creates space for Jindal, since they share a similar bailiwick. Isn't the first time I've heard this about Ryan either, and he's sent out mixed signals over the past few months on the question.

Christie's right: Switch everything to WTA, please. No caucuses.

[Mr. Morden]

"I don't know yet, but we're thinking about it"

--Rand Paul's answer on whether he'll run for president, in the final 10 seconds of this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUyeJVXT9AQ&feature=player_embedded

[Mr. Morden]

Rubio is already test driving the explanation he's going to give when he ultimately announces that he'll run for president, and leave the Senate after one term:

http://www.buzzfeed.com/rebeccaberg/how-marco-rubio-is-thinking-about-2016

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Got that?  He'll only have been in the Senate for one term, but he's spinning the decision to leave the Senate after that one term to run for higher office as an opportunity to "give someone else a shot" at service in the Senate.

[RogueBeaver]

He must know how absurd that sounds: doesn't even pass the laugh test, as Heinze notes in more diplomatic language. For me he flunks the experience test, though I do understand the "now or never" argument.

More Rubio news: he'll be delivering the SOTU rebuttal.

[RogueBeaver]

Christie blasts ex-WH doc who critiqued his health, calling her a "hack." She has no regrets. Also a Pub.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2013/02/06/christie-calls-out-former-wh-physician-doc-unmoved/?cid=sf_twitter

[seanNJ9]

you don't need to be a doctor to know Christie is in poor health. His heart is working much harder than someone's of normal weight.

[Mr. Morden]

Apparently, Jeb Bush and a group of investors recently made an offer to buy the Miami Marlins from current owner Jeffrey Loria, but Loria declined to sell:

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-250_162-57567958/report-jeb-bush-tried-to-buy-miami-marlins/

[RogueBeaver]

The Fix's first rankings.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2013/02/08/the-fixs-first-rankings-of-the-2016-republican-presidential-field/

[Mr. Morden]

Hillary Clinton has some more medical tests:

http://www.13wham.com/news/local/story/Hillary-Clinton-Underwent-More-Medical-Tests/VzO1lsHFP0GCFKWoXsD74A.cspx

And National Journal zooms in on Biden's role in the White House, and how he's using it to leverage his chances in 2016:

http://www.nationaljournal.com/magazine/need-proof-that-joe-biden-is-running-for-president-look-at-his-staff-20130131

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[RogueBeaver]

Enten: Why Rubio won't be nominated.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/feb/11/marco-rubio-2016-five-reasons-why-not

[RogueBeaver]

Long Buzzfeed piece on Jeb and Rubio.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/mckaycoppins/the-future-of-the-republican-party-is-by-the-pool-at-the-bil

[ilikeverin]

Some random Hillary gossip from a completely unknown site: http://usa.greekreporter.com/2013/02/11/exclusive-hillary-clinton-will-run-for-president-in-2016-confirmed/

[RogueBeaver]

P16's Pub power ranking. 1) Rubio 2) Christie 3) Martinez 4) Jindal 5) Jeb.

http://www.prez16.com/2013/02/2016-power-rankings-republicans.html

[Mr. Morden]

Elizabeth Warren is avoiding the national media:

http://www.politico.com/story/2013/02/elizabeth-warrens-silent-senate-approach-87636.html?hp=t3_3

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[Mr. Morden]

Ben Carson

2016's Herman Cain?

Ben Carson is a neurosurgeon and the Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital.  He's managed to generate presidential buzz among movement conservatives just by giving a speech critical of Obama in front of him at the National Prayer Breakfast last week:

http://www.nationaljournal.com/politics/why-a-johns-hopkins-neurosurgeon-is-getting-2016-presidential-buzz-20130211

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Rather than try to tamp down expectations for a run, Carson is fanning the flames:

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[Mr. Morden]

Janet Napolitano

Karen Tumulty of The Washington Post recently ran an item suggesting that Napolitano might be interested in running for president in 2016:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/she-the-people/wp/2013/02/04/janet-napolitano-a-woman-to-watch-for-2016/

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Nothing much more here to add, as Napolitano hasn't really done anything up until now to indicate that she's interested.  But then, Cabinet secretaries can't really do that so easily.

One question worth asking though: Is America ready for a Space Biker president?

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/16/magazine/16fob-q4-t.html?_r=0

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Rahm Emanuel

The Chicago mayor may be considering a run:

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/02/14/rahm-emanuel-toying-with-2016-presidential-run-sources-say.html

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[RogueBeaver]

Very long NJ feature on Rubio.

http://mobile.nationaljournal.com/magazine/can-marco-rubio-live-up-to-the-hype-20130214?page=1

[Mr. Morden]

Two quick hits:

Jindal

Not exactly Iowa and New Hampshire, but Jindal is doing more events for the party outside his state, this time one in Missouri:

http://www.shreveporttimes.com/viewart/20130207/NEWS/130207006/Gov-Bobby-Jindal-headline-Missouri-GOP-event-again-

He also appeared in Richmond, VA to help out fellow potential 2016er Bob McDonnell in promoting his education reforms:

http://www.shreveporttimes.com/viewart/20130208/NEWS0401/130208013/Gov-Bobby-Jindal-touts-education-reforms

Walker

Walker still seems like a possible candidate if Ryan doesn't run, and pundits marvel at his fundraising prowess:

http://watchdog.org/69552/walker-building-a-case-for-a-2016-presidential-run/

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[justfollowingtheelections]

Matt Taibbi wrote on twitter than Elizabeth Warren will be the next president.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/15/matt-taibbi-elizabeth-warren_n_2695200.html?utm_hp_ref=business

She seems to be no. 3 in popularity right now behind Hilary and Biden and the only reason Biden is ahead of her is because of name recognition.
Could she run if Hilary runs?  I honestly don't see it, but I think she would be a much better candidate and president than Hilary.  She has however praised Hilary in the past so I think she will take a back seat if Hilary decides to run.

I could however imagine a Warren/Baldwin ticket at some point.

[Mr. Morden]

Matt Taibbi wrote on twitter than Elizabeth Warren will be the next president.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/15/matt-taibbi-elizabeth-warren_n_2695200.html?utm_hp_ref=business

She seems to be no. 3 in popularity right now behind Hilary and Biden and the only reason Biden is ahead of her is because of name recognition.
Could she run if Hilary runs?  I honestly don't see it, but I think she would be a much better candidate and president than Hilary.  She has however praised Hilary in the past so I think she will take a back seat if Hilary decides to run.

I could however imagine a Warren/Baldwin ticket at some point.

The logic there seems to be "There is demand for her to run.  Therefore, she will run."  Sorry, but she actually has to do something to show that she's interested before I take this seriously.

[Mr. Morden]

Ben Carson is moving up in the world.  He's suddenly getting invites for the Sunday morning political shows:

http://www.politico.com//story/2013/02/sunday-talk-show-tip-sheet-87725.html

Oh, and the schedule for next month's CPAC gathering (which will include speeches by such 2016ers as Rubio, Ryan, Paul, Santorum, Cruz, Walker, and Jeb Bush) has been released:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/125668663/CPAC-2013-Schedule

[tmthforu94]

Ben Carson is moving up in the world.  He's suddenly getting invites for the Sunday morning political shows:

http://www.politico.com//story/2013/02/sunday-talk-show-tip-sheet-87725.html

It's funny you said that - my parents were watching him on Hannity tonight, and I joined in to listen to him. Funny enough, someone asked him what was the first thing he'd do if elected President in 2016 and he actually gave a serious answer.

[Mr. Morden]

Ben Carson is moving up in the world.  He's suddenly getting invites for the Sunday morning political shows:

http://www.politico.com//story/2013/02/sunday-talk-show-tip-sheet-87725.html

It's funny you said that - my parents were watching him on Hannity tonight, and I joined in to listen to him. Funny enough, someone asked him what was the first thing he'd do if elected President in 2016 and he actually gave a serious answer.

Video here (33 second mark or so):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqfsqi99zWk&list=UUq2eXCSiXldB4O0af_ulhIA&index=1

Guy asks him what he'll do in January 2017 after he's inaugurated, and he just starts answering, without stopping to say "I'm not running" or anything of the like.

Should also be noted, though, that in this clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pn5hJgFLfJw

he says that he's currently an Independent, and won't say who he voted for last year.  But rhetorically, he certainly seems to be more in sync with the GOP than the Dems.

[justfollowingtheelections]

They're so desperate to find an anti-Obama, aren't they?  They seem to think that if they nominate a black guy, the blacks will become Republican, or if they get guys like Rubio or Cruz in the Senate, Hispanics will vote for them.
Do they really think people are that dumb?

[Lupo]

They're so desperate to find an anti-Obama, aren't they?  They seem to think that if they nominate a black guy, the blacks will become Republican, or if they get guys like Rubio or Cruz in the Senate, Hispanics will vote for them.
Do they really think people are that dumb?

I hope not.  One of the reasons I'm proud to be a Republican is that we nominate based on ability, not which boxes can be checked off.  Let the Dems pick a minority for the sake of picking a minority.