Procrastination can be fatal. An announcement from one candidate could have the effect of pulling others into the race or knocking them out, depending on their niche within their respective parties.
If, for instance, Warren were to enter the race, she would instantly undermine the rationale for a campaign by left-wing firebrand Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).
On the Republican side, a potential Bush candidacy looms large.
Both Christie and Rubio have much at stake in the former governor’s decision.
While Rubio has said that his former mentor’s decision won’t affect his own, strategists believe the Florida senator might sit out 2016 if Bush decides to run. Christie, meanwhile, would want to jump in immediately after Bush, for fear of seeing the establishment mantle seized by someone else.
With no single Republican candidate looming over the race, a sense of watchfulness pervades the GOP field.
“Rand and [Texas Sen. Ted] Cruz are sort of shadow-boxing,” said Matt Mackowiak, a Republican strategist from the Lone Star State. “Walker, [Indiana Gov.] Mike Pence, and [Ohio Gov.] John Kasich are watching each other. No one is making timeline decisions on their own.”
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