Are you ready for Campaign 2016?

For the Democrats, all eyes are on Clinton, the secretary of state who professes no interest but would have a clear advantage if she runs for the nomination that eluded her in 2008. Cuomo, too, is being talked about heavily in Democratic circles.

Maryland’s Martin O’Malley appears to be laying groundwork and snagged a plumb gig in September, as the guest of Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin at his annual steak-fry fundraiser in the state that traditionally holds the kick-off caucuses. Other governors who may weigh bids: Colorado’s John Hickenlooper, Massachusetts’ Deval Patrick and Montana’s Brian Schweitzer.

Keep an eye, too, on mayors like Antonio Villaraigosa of Los Angeles, who co-chaired the Democratic convention and headlined the Iowa Democratic Party’s annual fall fundraising dinner in Des Moines last month, following a long line of would-be presidential candidates. And another potential: mayor Julian Castro of San Antonio, who delivered the keynote address.

Ok, let’s go through these one-by-one:

Hillary – Unless she throws Obama under the bus over Benghazi, that’ll stick to her like glue(not to mention serving in the Obama Administration). I know the Clintons have been teflon in politics, but 4 dead Americans is something you don’t just shake even with the passage of time. Plus she’ll be 69 in 2016 and will look even worse than she does now.

Cuomo – I suppose he’s doing a good job thus far, but New York politicians never make successful runs for the Presidency. Just ask Rudy, Hillary, and Andrew’s dad.

O’Malley – Please. He’s done a lousy job in Maryland and is a tax-and-spend liberal. The Dems would have a better shot at the White House with Biden on the ticket.

Hickenlooper – Aside from his unfortunately odd-sounding name, he might be their best shot. The only one who can make a credible case as a centrist Dem and he hails from a key swing state.

Patrick – If the Dems feel racial politics is the key to retaking the White House, they may go to that well once again. The problem is I don’t see the country eager to elect another man President just because he’s black in the wake of the disaster that was the Obama Administration.

Schweitzer – Are you kidding me? Have you heard the incendiary crap that comes out of this man’s mouth? It would be like running Alan Grayson for President. Plus we’re talking Montana which is a meaningless state in national politics.

Villaraigosa – Again, racial politics. He’d be a cynical play for Latino votes, but he has a horrible record as mayor that’ll be hung around his neck.

Castro – Huh? Setting aside his last name which is even more unfortunate than “Hickenlooper”, he’s the mayor of San Antonio. How in the hell does he parlay that into the experience necessary for the Presidency? Dude needs to run for Senator or Governor first(good luck with that being a Democrat in Texas).

Doughboy on November 5, 2012 at 11:09 AM

I think of the list, Cuomo and Hickenlooper are the most potentially worrisome. A President Romney could be potentially vulnerable if he isn’t able to grapple with the problems Obama/Bush left us.

Doomberg on November 5, 2012 at 11:23 AM

I’m not worried about Cuomo. He’d win the Northeast and the left coast. He’d struggle in the rest of the nation.

Hickenlooper would be more of a concern. Although I just read in his bio that he and his wife separated a few months ago. Who’s the last single dude elected President?

Doughboy on November 5, 2012 at 11:32 AM

Evan Bayh will be running.

portlandon on November 5, 2012 at 11:57 AM

He better pray that Obamacare is ancient history by 2016 or else his vote for that will cripple his candidacy.

Doughboy on November 5, 2012 at 11:59 AM