Will The Real Republican Please Stand Up?

The 2012 campaign began four years earlier so I guess it's no surprise that names are already being bandied about for 2016.

The speculation is fun but really not worth much. Things could actually change for both parties. The question here is who will best represent the party four years down the road or if they'll all be nothing more than elephants in the room.

I can chastise the potential Republican field by saying, "Where were you when we needed you?" To those at least who opted not to run but could possibly have won.  Jeb Bush, Chris Christie, Marco Rubio.  Oh they were all so content to stay where ever they were but suddenly the bug has bitten.

Then too some of the also rans haven't put the kibosh on another try including Rick Perry, Newt and Rick Santorum.  Surely I jest.  Nope.  Just browse around and you'll find the names.  A few newcomers might include Bobby Jindal, Rand Paul, Mike Pence and Bob McConnell and of course Paul Ryan.  Also there is speculation Mike Huckabee and Sarah Palin might feel moved to give up the big bucks of TV for the honor of serving.  Yeah, right.

It's a strange field if there is to be a new face and philosophy for the Republicans.  That's one reason I think we may see a very different field.  Not necessarily better, but different.  May those who have no chance please drop out at the beginning so we don't have to be uncomfortable witnesses to your being ignored at the debates.

Even the Democrats are testing a few names.  We all expect Hillary to go.  If you see her lose a few pounds and get more frequent botox shots, bet on it.  Otherwise she and Bill probably have some other scheme in mind.

Then there's Joe.  Also Andrew Cuomo,  Deval Patrick, Elizabeth Warren, Cory Booker and Martin O'Malley. Handicapping those folks really depends on whether or not Hillary goes.  Other than Joe, they don't have great name recognition, but they're pretty much business as usual as a collective.  I'd expect in the four years of high visibility remaining for Joe, he might just self-destruct. I'll actually be surprised if he doesn't. I wouldn't bet on him getting the nomination in any case.  Though stranger things have happened.

This should keep my anticipatory lust satisfied for awhile.  It's time to get back to some real news about which to speculate.  Like will we really leave 10,000 men in Afghanistan?  Wow.  That's cruel and inhuman punishment for serving the country!