2016: Let's all be premature assholes.

[Direckshun]

I never start polls but I've really enjoyed reading about some of the prognostication about 2016's POTUS race.

Here's folks I've targeted for the 2016 race so far. Give me a moment, I'm putting up a poll that allows Democrats and Republicans to vote for their guy.

Give me a moment to warm up the ol' poll.

REPUBLICANS:

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie

For my money, the frontrunner. He is an excellent speaker, probably the best in the field, with bipartisan credentials and until recently, a rock star within the GOP. They'll come back to him soon. But he would be an awfully moderate candidate.

Florida Senator Marco Rubio

If the GOP honestly, earnestly believes that demographics were their downfall in 2012, Rubio is a good antidote. Likeable, good speaker, a Hispanic from Florida. Much less moderate than Christie.

Florida Governor Jeb Bush

Rumors are that he wants in. I think his last name seals his fate, but he has political pedigree and also hails from Florida.

Ohio Govenor John Kasich

I don't think Kasich is national platform material, but he does hail from all-important Ohio.

Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal

I think he's too young, but his race and youth could be the break from business as usual? I don't know.

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels

I'm calling it: he's 2016's Jon Hunstman. A pragmatic, Presidential, conservative candidate with all the political talent you need. I'm guessing he fades compared to the bright lights of Christie and Rubio.

Virginia Governor Bob McDonell

I don't see it, but McDonell wants in apparently. He's got plenty of things going for him: military background, swing state, good speaker. But I think there's only so much oxygen in the room.

South Dakota Senator John Thune

The GOP primaries need their hard-right candidate, and I think Thune's the best possible face for it.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice

She doesn't want to, but people have been asking for it. I think she'd be a compelling candidate within the GOP primaries (she'll have the most foreing policy experience, and on my list she's the only woman, and the only African American).

Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum

Nobody on this list really looks the part of the Religious Right, do they? Well the RR's gotta have somebody fighting for them, and they like Santorum.

DEMOCRATS

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

If she declares, half of the people on this list will not run. You may only have a person or two running against her.

Vice President Joe Biden

We all know the guy wants to run in 2016. Hard to argue with his experience.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo

High profile governor, very aggressive rhetoric, and has a political pedigree in his family. He's going to have a very tough time being likeable, I think.

Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer

Probably won't run, but the DNP needs him to. Very centrist and bipartisan record.

Massachussetts Senator Elizabeth Warren

Way premature, but she is a rock star within the party now.

Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley

O'Malley is a sleeper -- he has a ton of connections within the DNP and has spent some time as a national figure as an Obama surrogate. Would likely campaign as a "four more years of Obama's policies" candidate.

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick

The boisterous Patrick would likely become beloved in a dry-personality primary field. A solid liberal, he would easily be the best speaker in the field.

Virginia Senator Mark Warner

Probably would end up being the Tim Pawlenty of the 2016 DNP field. Experienced, clean presentation. Just nothing that is remotely gripping for the average Democrat.

Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano

I think she's a stronger candidate than almost everybody gives her credit for. Obama reaped huge dividends in 2012 because the GOP couldn't attack him effectively on foreign policy or security. Napolitano might have the same advantage. If Hillary doesn't run, Janet should.

[Direckshun]

Votes are anonymous. Weigh in for the candidate of your choice.

[Bo's Pelini]

Seriously why no Rand Paul?

[whoman69]

probably other

[FishingRod]

Biden - Santorum

And the winner is

Saturday Night Live!

[kcfanXIII]

dear god, we just finished a 2 year campaign, can we have a few months to not think about the cluster**** of shit that will be running in 2016?

[fan4ever]

Oh Direckshun, you don't have to be premature...

[mikey23545]

What 2016 election?

[BucEyedPea]

I see that Direckshun is as bad as the GOP Establishment/Leadership by excluding Rand Paul.

[Bewbies]

Unless a Governor (not Christie) blows up in the next couple years I think Rand Paul and Marco Rubio have got to be the heavy favorites....

[SNR]

Much like 2009, the Republicans were saying, "We'll be fine, we have Barbour, Jindal, Daniels, and all these other awesome candidates."

Ten bucks says no more than two guys from that current list in the poll even form exploratory committees.

[SNR]

Also, if Mitch Daniels didn't want to run in 2012, why the **** would he do it in 2016?

[SNR]

Want a real dark horse for the Democrats?

Amy Klobuchar.

I'm tellin ya. Mark this post down. Bookmark it. She'll be there running with the rest of them.

[Direckshun]

Originally Posted by SNR

Also, if Mitch Daniels didn't want to run in 2012, why the **** would he do it in 2016?

Because he's not running against an incumbent President?

[mlyonsd]

If Christie doesn't have a heart attack before then not only will he win the presidency but he'll flip NY and NJ doing it.

Bookmark it.