The 2016 Republican presidential field has been shaping up in more ways than one in the last week. Here’s who’s stirring the pot, and what they’re mixing in:
Romney, Romney … Romney?
A week after former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush spent his time locking in support from the Republican establishment’s top GOP donors, former Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney set fire to the political world on Friday when he signaled to a roomful of donors that he’s seriously considering a 2016 presidential bid.
Romney is giving more than just a cursory glance at his 2016 presidential prospects. After meeting with prospective donors, Romney reportedly spent the weekend phoning former operatives and backers, signaling that he’s not kidding about a three-peat presidential campaign.
Romney is also headed to a Republican National Committee meeting near San Diego this week, a get together that will include other potential 2016ers including Ben Carson, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and Texas Gov. Rick Perry.
The former nominee’s moves over the weekend are the surest sign yet that he will enter what is expected to be a competitive fray of Republican contenders duking it out for the nomination. The buzz comes months after Romney kicked up speculation this summer when he gave several interviews suggesting that while a 2016 run was unlikely, it wasn’t completely out of the question.
–
…What about the Democrats?
Efforts to recruit Sen. Elizabeth Warren are still underway, former Virginia Gov. Jim Webb is breaking in a new knee and Hillary Clinton hasn’t made a public appearance in almost a month.
As the Republican field keeps shifting, Democrats are left wondering…what field?
Progressive groups are holding a rally on Saturday in an effort to get Warren to jump in, but the liberal senator is looking more like she won’t run in 2016, giving Fortune magazine a flat “no” when asked whether she’ll run for President — her most decisive answer yet.
Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley wants voters to know he’s not out of the running, though. He told an audience on Thursday that he is “seriously considering” a presidential run.
