"Third tier" 2016 GOP candidates update

[Mr. Morden]

For those of you who don't read the "tea leaves" thread….shame on you.  You should be following that important thread on 2016 news. 

However, if you haven't been reading it, I'll give you a summary of all the goings on among the potential "third tier" GOP candidates for 2016.  That is, the potential candidates who have dropped some kind of hint or other about 2016 in the last two months, but is not getting the kind of publicity of a Christie, Cruz, Paul, or Rubio.  Mostly, candidates who have never won statewide office, if they've run for office at all.  (OK, Gary Johnson has won statewide office, but was only invited to two debates two years ago, so I'll count him as third tier.)

Michele Bachmann says she's "not taking anything off the table" with regard to a future run: https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=164982.msg3754160#msg3754160

National Review says John Bolton is thinking about running: https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=164982.msg3772981#msg3772981

Ben Carson is taking a bit of a break from stoking 2016 speculation by writing a regular column for the Washington Times: https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=164982.msg3791678#msg3791678

Gary Johnson does not rule out running for president again, and does not rule out returning to the GOP for such a run: https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=164982.msg3760407#msg3760407

Peter King says he's thinking about running: https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=164982.msg3800813#msg3800813

Ted Nugent says he's considering a run for president (presumably as a Republican): https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=164982.msg3784046#msg3784046

Donald Trump says he's thinking about running: https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=164982.msg3742896#msg3742896

Allen West visited NH: https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=164982.msg3797739#msg3797739

If you count Rick Perry as "third tier", which might be justified, given how badly he flamed out last time, then he's also hinted at 2016 ambitions of late as well.

[barfbag]

I suspect half of these people will run.

[badgate]

King is now visiting NH

[barfbag]

I was thinking of heading to Iowa myself.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

If you count Rick Perry as "third tier", which might be justified, given how badly he flamed out last time, then he's also hinted at 2016 ambitions of late as well.

Second tier makes more sense for him.

[Stranger in a strange land]

If you count Rick Perry as "third tier", which might be justified, given how badly he flamed out last time, then he's also hinted at 2016 ambitions of late as well.

Second tier makes more sense for him.

He's still the governor of a major state, and seems to have retained some popularity with the base, so I wouldn't relegate him to third tier just yet.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

Johnson announced he was running in 2016 at the 2012 LNC. He will run again, and will do much worse. He got 0.99% in 2012, so I figure 0.55%ish will be his 2016 level.

Bolton is running for Sec. of State. He won't even really consider a run. I learned that lesson in 2012 when I insisted he would run.

Pete King is running since Rudy is a has been and he wants attention.

Carson is just trying to get a Fox News show.

Bachmann won't run, and will likely follow in the Sarahnators foot steps in attention whoring and book selling. She might even hook up with Glen Rice.

Ted Nugent will run, and I can see him getting into the debates. He won't go far, because he is Ted Nugent.

Allen West will likely run for Congress or primary Rubio instead.

Trump lolz.

[tpfkaw]

If you count Rick Perry as "third tier", which might be justified, given how badly he flamed out last time, then he's also hinted at 2016 ambitions of late as well.

Second tier makes more sense for him.

He's still the governor of a major state, and seems to have retained some popularity with the base, so I wouldn't relegate him to third tier just yet.

With whom?  I can't think of anyone who still likes him (rather than the abstraction of "Texas"), besides Erick Erickson.  And I'm pretty sure that's because they're boning.