When we look around and think things appear pretty gloomy for big D Democracy (the kind that focuses on making people’s lives better), we can take comfort in the knowledge that our political opponents will, for the second time in 4 years, be in disarray as they try to choose whether to hate in the open or hate in a less full-throated way.
The field of Republican 2016 hopefuls has the potential for more white-on-white violence than a Walmart Black Friday event. One author breaks the candidates into the following categories:
THE BIG THREE
These candidates will leverage strong donor bases and have the most potential to bridge the establishment vs. conservative gap.
– Sen. Rand Paul (Ky.)
– Gov. Chris Christie (N.J.)
– Former Gov. Jeb Bush (Fla.)THE CONSERVATIVE GUNNERS
The 2012 Republican field was roiled by conservative upstarts, but those driving the conversation to the right this time around will be more polished and better funded.
– Former Gov. Mike Huckabee (Ark.)
– Sen. Ted Cruz (Texas)THE SECOND TIER
In any other year, these two might be near the top of the list but each has a glaring issue that knocks them down a peg.
– Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.)
– Gov. Scott Walker (Wis.)NEEDS AN IOWA MIRACLE
The strong competition and narrow path for these candidates has some questioning whether they’ll be able to break through.
– Gov. Rick Perry (Texas)
– Dr. Ben CarsonWAITING IN THE WINGS
Expect to see a lot of this bunch on the campaign trail, even if it’s just to build chits for a potential Cabinet spot or vice presidential candidacy.
– Gov. Mike Pence (Ind.)
– Gov. Bobby Jindal (La.)
– Sen. Rob Portman (Ohio)
– Gov. John Kasich (Ohio)
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