It's back to Jeb Bush in 2016 for the Republican establishment

[Yavin4]

With their top prospects imploding, Govs. Bob McDonald and Chris Christie, and Marco Rubio, that leaves the establishment with only one choice, Jeb Bush.

All of their other remaining prospects, John Thune of South Dakota, John Kasich of Ohio, Scott Walker of Wisconsin, and Nikki Haley of South Carolina, don't have the national gravitas nor the charisma to run for a national office.

The other choices, Ted Cruz, Rand Paul, are too crazy for the establishment to support.

[BeyondGeography]

1. Yup...Bush v. Clinton

Who says we're in a rut?

[rocktivity]

2. Our memories aren't THAT short

rocktivity

[Gothmog]

3. Some GOP types are wishing that Romney would run again

I find this to be amusing http://talkingpointsmemo.com/dc/gop-2016-roster-meltdown

Republican donors are feeling so dejected that one operative told BuzzFeed, "You know what a lot of them say to me? I think we need Mitt back

."

[RedSpartan]

4. Don't underestimate Thune.

Not saying he'd win a national election, but he may very well be the nominee. There's a long time to go.

[underpants]

5. Thune Ryan or Paul

But then who knows with this crowd.

None of them will beat Hillary

[DJ13]

6. Unless they throw another election to the Dems by running a non candidate

From an establishment conservative perspective they have it pretty good now.

They (effectively) control Congress with a minority in the Senate, and if things stay bad for the majority (or get worse) due to their own (in)actions, theres a Democrat in the WH.

They didnt nominate Romney because they expected him to win.

[Prophet 451]

7. I still think it'll be Christie

Unless he's actually indicted, he'll be forgiven and be the nominee. Republicans want to nominate assholes, they like bullying pricks. That's why Rush is so popular on the right, they view being a sadistic jerk as a sign of manliness.

[ancianita]

8. A guy named Jeb,from a warmongering, criminal intel family, has more 'national gravitas' than these?

To the public, Jebediah's got more family baggage weighing him down than anything these other candidates can cook up as their sell. The Bush name is too much associated with the banality of evil.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

9. This is fucking hilarious!! Now that Corpus Christie is out, they're back to Bush...or is it...

"I'm thirsty" Rubio..or is it...crazy-ass "Ayn Rand" Paul...or Palin...

[libdem4life]

10. Billion dollar campaigns need name recognition...no national newbies, i.e. Christie...like it or not

and I'm not a Hillary fan, but.....closer and closer to a Clinton and a Bush. It's not about royalty, it's about, IMO, there not being many surprises, for better or worse. I mean, what if these things had come out after all the Donor money had started to flow...either Party. I'm so curious to know what happened this weekend as literally new news was coming out while they were horse trading.

Finding something new on Hillary will be most difficult of all. Jeb, not so sure but he has the name recognition and the ability to raise significant funds...and his wife is a Mexican.

[Rozlee]

11. No. I don't think so.

He hasn't been sending out any feelers for sponsors for fund-raisers or visiting any battleground states. His mother commented at one point that she doesn't want him to run. He has some baggage that it would be best to not delve in too closely. I think if the Bush's are going to throw their weight behind any of their family to be the next dictat...er, I mean, president, they'll probably aim for George Prescott Bush here in Texas.

[brooklynite]

12. Disagree - look for a move to Gov Scott Walker

Electable in a battleground State

"Gets things done"

Popular with the Tea Party

[Yavin4]

14. Walker doesn't have that national appeal. Tim Pawlenty is more charasmatic

Don't see the big East Coast Republican establishment going nuts for Walker. Besides, Wisconsin is strong blue in presidential elections. Whereas Florida is the toss up, and Jeb brings FLA with him.

[Tom Rinaldo]

13. Ryan or Huckabee. Don't underestimate the latter.

Huckabee came close in 2008. He is much more skilled than Cruz at courting the center with economic populist rhetoric.

[davidpdx]

21. I doubt it on Huckabee

He'd literally have to sweep the south and midwest states where the fundies live and then make a decent showing in the other states.

[apnu]

15. Rubio was never for real.

Just like Bobby Jindal, they both need over a decade of experience before even thinking about putting their hats in the ring.

Walker is dead thanks to his union busting. Nobody in WI likes him, I don't think he could carry the state in a National election. Kasich too, only with less loathing than Walker.

They have nothing but Jeb and Christie that can even ponder attracting independents. That's just sad. But it is the bed they've made for themselves. I hope they enjoy sleeping in it.

[AlinPA]

16. Cruz and Paul are not too crazy for the GOP establishment. The crazy are the establishment.

Christie, Bush and those others mentioned are too "liberal" for the base. It's a new GOP now and crazy teabaggers rule.

[SayitAintSo]

17. oh gawd....why the hell is Nikki Haley even in that list ?

I live in SC....there is so much crap in her wake I shudder at the thought she is even mentioned....

Ughhhhhhh!!!!!!

[Kablooie]

18. Oh c'mon. Give Mitt another chance.

[davidpdx]

20. Sounds like he's ruled it out

It would be fun taking a poke at him again.

[Sunlei]

19. He got his Dad the President, to grant citizenship? & pardon this person.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orlando_Bosch

Had a lot of other Florida deals back in those days that were never investigated, including extensive real estate deals. Thousands of deals that were foreclosed on and added to the great sadness for Florida.

Then there were all those brand new cars that were discovered in parking garages. Never investigated, was someone shipping state bought, new cars to ?? Lot of shipments direct to/from, South America (and islands on that same flight route) from Florida. Air and Sea.

To wait until after some R has an entire 'history' created & is elected to expose and question possible past frauds is a mistake. Investigate now, it's almost to late as it is.