Reading Tea Leaves: Potential 2016 Presidential Candidates

Nov. 2012 through Nov. 4, 2014  [click here for more recent after Nov. 4, 2014]
In the pre-campaign period, through the 2014 mid-term elections, there is a lot of speculation about possible candidates.  Some of these figures have no intention of running, others have all but decided to run, others are genuinely undecided, and still others have not yet caught the attention of the media and are not included.  Although individual prospects are "thinking about it" or dropping hints or engaging in activities that strongly suggest they intend to run, at this point no major candidates have declared outright that they are running.  It is basically a matter of reading tea leaves, a game of speculation.  The 2014 mid-term elections will clarify the political terrain and potential candidates' decisions.

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     For more, click on photos with highlighted borders.  Suggestions for improvements, additions, additional resources appreciated.
DEMOCRATS
Online: Official  |  Independent


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REPUBLICANS
Online: Official  |  Independent


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www.whitehouse.gov...
@VP
C-SPAN
www.clintonfoundation.org/...
toosmall.org
@hillaryclinton
C-SPAN

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www.foundationforfloridasfuture.org
@jebbush
C-SPAN
www.realbencarson.com
carsonscholars.org
@realbencarson
C-SPAN



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www.governor.ny.gov
andrewcuomo.com
@nygovcuomo
C-SPAN
governor.maryland.gov
martinomalley.com
@GovernorOMalley
C-SPAN

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nj.gov/governor
@GovChristie
C-SPAN
cruz.senate.gov
www.jobsgrowth.org
@SenTedCruz
@tedcruz
C-SPAN



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@brianschweitzer
C-SPAN

www.jameswebb.com
www.bornfighting.com
@JimWebbUSA
C-SPAN

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MikeHuckabee.com
www.huckpac.com
@GovMikeHuckabee
C-SPAN
www.bobbyjindal.com
americanxt.org
@bobbyjindal
C-SPAN

INDEPENDENT
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sanders.senate.gov
www.bernie.org
C-SPAN

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www.governor.ohio.gov
www.kasichforohio.com
@johnkasich
C-SPAN
peteking.house.gov
www.peteking.com
www.americanleadershipnow.org
@RepPeteKing
C-SPAN

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paul.senate.gov
www.RandPAC.com
www.randpaul2016.com
@SenRandPaul
@DrRandPaul
C-SPAN
www.in.gov/gov
www.mikepence.com
@GovPenceIN
C-SPAN

LIBERTARIAN GREEN .




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ouramericainitiative.com
@GovGaryJohnson
C-SPAN

NOTA 2016
greenshadowcabinet.us
@DrJillStein
C-SPAN
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governor.state.tx.us
www.rickperry.org
www.usaeconfreedom.org
@GovernorPerry
C-SPAN
www.portman.senate.gov
www.robportman.com
@robportman
C-SPAN

CONSTITUTION MORE .




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www.castlereport.us
C-SPAN
FEC: 2016 Presidential
Form 2 Filers
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rubio.senate.gov
www.reclaimamericapac.com
@MarcoRubio
C-SPAN
paulryan.house.gov
www.ryanforcongress.com
@Pryan
C-SPAN



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www.patriotvoices.com
echolight.com
@RickSantorum
C-SPAN
walker.wi.gov
www.scottwalker.com
@GovWalker
@ScottWalker
C-SPAN








OTHER DEMOCRATS
.MENTIONED...  . . OTHER REPUBLICANS
MENTIONED... 



gillibrand.senate.gov
www.kirstengillibrand.com
March 5, 2013 tweet
klobuchar.senate.gov
www.amyklobuchar.com

signatory to letter urging
Clinton to run


www.up-project.org
carlyfiorina.com

@_UP_Project
www.boltonpac.com
www.boltonsuperpac.com
AEI page
@AmbJohnBolton





warren.senate.gov
elizabethwarren.com
Dec. 4, 2013 press conf.
gov.ca.gov
www.jerrybrown.org
Jan. 14, 2014 news conf.


www.mittromney.com
@mittromney

 
 

www.redrockpac.com
@JonHuntsman
C-SPAN





celebrity










www.SarahPAC.com
@SarahPalinUSA
C-SPAN
www.trump.com
@realDonaldTrump

C-SPAN













FORMERLY MENTIONED...












bobmcdonnell.com
effectively off the list
since the latter part of
March 2013

continued from above...

For those currently serving in public office, there are the day-in, day-out challenges of governing.  Some potential candidates face re-election in 2014, and it is in their interest not to stray too far afield.  Others have busy travel schedules, and are visiting key primary states, trekking around the country and addressing key constituencies.  The 2014 mid-term elections offer many opportunities to help a party's candidates and coincidentally connect with activists.  Prospects have a number of vehicles including leadership PACs, 501(c)(4)s, and other organizations to help get out their messages. 

Even if an individual has absolutely no intention of running, being seen as a potential presidential candidate can be helpful for his or her endeavors.  All it takes is a trip to Iowa, New Hampshire or a remark about "not ruling it out" or "keeping the door open." 

As interesting as the activities of potential candidates themselves are the activities of activists seeking to encourage various individuals to run.  Observing more or less organized draft efforts, super PACs, petitions, and Facebook activity or the absence of  such activity, one can get a sense of the kind of grassroots support a prospect might have if he or she does get in the race.

Currently there are many more prospects on the Republican side than on the Democratic side; Hillary Clinton is seen as the almost inevitable Democratic nominee should she decide to run, and that has suppressed activity by other potential Democratic candidates.

Democrats 2013 in Review  |  Republicans 2013 in Review



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