United States presidential election, 2016

The 2016 election will be an open field in both the Republican and Democratic parties to replace Barack Obama.

Possible Republican candidates

Candidate	Pros	Cons	Trending ...
Rick Santorum	Strong social conservative base, runner-up in the 2012 primary, by 2016 endorsing RINO-turned-Democrat Arlen Specter will be a distant memory for many because he died in 2012.	May have been a stalking horse for Romney in the last election, which he'll vehemently deny; in 2016 voters may want a new face to lead the party instead of an also-ran, media portrays as fanatic.	Says door is open on Presidential bid, compared his 2012 run to Reagan in 1976.
Marco Rubio	Favorite of Fox News, articulate, Hispanic, able to win key battleground state of Florida since he's from there, was on Romney's shortlist in 2012.	Used to be a Tea Party favorite when he defeated RINO Charlie Crist, but many have since soured on his actions, endorses his own version of the DREAM Act, friends with Jeb Bush, denounced Michele Bachmann's investigation into Huma Abedin.	Visited Iowa in December 2012 to speak at Jack Kemp library.
Paul Ryan	Vice-Presidential running-mate in 2012, seen as fiscal hawk, Chair of House Budget Committee, articulate.	Part of unpopular GOP House leadership, part of steering committee that purged conservatives from leadership positions, supported Boehner's Plan B and Senate budget plan, voted for TARP and Medicare Part D, budget balances budget in 40 years, didn't carry Wisconsin at bottom of ticket.	Visited Iowa in December 2012 to speak at Jack Kemp library, named after the man he used to be an aide to.
Jeb Bush	Able to win Florida, has Hispanic wife and kids, multilingual, backing of Karl Rove and the Bush family.	Outspokenly supports amnesty, neither Tea Partiers or independent voters want a third Bush, told GOP primary voters they wouldn't elect Reagan today.	Might count on Rubio to be a stalking horse because of their friendship, if he and Clinton are the nominees many voters might gravitate to a third party.
Chris Christie	Blunt criticism of teacher's unions won conservatives over for about a year, Ann Coulter supports him.	Unprofessional style, severely overweight, praised Obama's Hurricane Sandy efforts only days before the 2012 election, has gotten heat for appointing Sharia judge and having pro-abortion Lieutenant Governor.	First he'll have to get past his re-election campaign against Mayor Cory Booker.
Rand Paul	Son of Ron Paul, voted against GOP establishment's spending compromise bills, advocate for cutting spending, can unite libertarians and conservatives, voted against NDAA.	Some of his father's more hardcore followers think he's a 'traitor' for endorsing Romney.	Has criticized Paul Ryan like a potential candidate would.
Bobby Jindal	Populist conservative who says conservatives should be skeptical of big business, Indian-American, cleaned up Louisiana after Katrina and Governor Blanco, evangelical who also focuses on energy issues like Perry before him.	Severely lacking in charisma.	Has criticized the GOP on how it needs to be "smarter" and should emphasize it champions small business instead of big business.
Sarah Palin	Very popular with the conservative base, record of cutting the size of government, expert on energy issues.	Thanks to the media, the electorate has already made up their minds about her. May prefer the role of commentator and not run for her and her children's sakes.
Condoleezza Rice	Articulate, popular, foreign policy experience, takes the race and gender cards off the table, gave impassioned speech at the RNC, inspiring childhood story.	Pro-choice, ties to Bush administration, never elected to any office, just appointed; left-wing immigration stance, had role leading up to Iraq War, single status will mean she won't have the emotional support of a family for a Presidential run as Laura Bush has said; admired by some conservatives, disliked by others like paleoconservatives and from how Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld have criticized her, she doesn't even have all the neoconservatives wrapped up.	Some conservatives would think her running would be a good idea, others won't. She declined to run in 2008 and 2012, but from the speculation she was going to be Romney's VP, she might this time.
Bob McDonnell	Social conservative, pro-life Governor of Virginia that supports gun rights.	Not exciting.	Currently under attack by feminists for passing pro-life legislation.
John Thune	Senator who defeated Tom Daschle, relatively conservative.	Voted for TARP and often votes for other spending bills the leadership pushes, not well known.
Scott Walker	A movement conservative who defeated a recall that was pushed by Soros and the unions, exhibits conservative determination in passing right-to-work in his state and surviving the relentless union attacks that followed.	AFL-CIO and the other union special interests have him as a top target, but he stands his ground.
Susana Martinez	Gave a good speech at the RNC, conservative Governor of a blue state, Hispanic.	Might not be interested.
Jan Brewer	If she runs, will use potent immigration issue as foil to Bush and Rubio, can take it's mantle and change debate to pressure other candidates to tack right on the issue, outspoken critic of Obama.	May not be interested in the Presidency.	Currently serving her state as Arizona's governor.
Allen West	Conservative black Congressman from Florida who speaks his mind, some conservative activists insist that he runs.	Lost his race for re-election to the House two years after getting voted in.	Has compared his loss to Abraham Lincoln's before he became President in a radio interview.
Brian Sandoval	Hispanic, fiscal conservative	Pro-choice
Rick Perry	Strong record of experience as Governor of Texas. Supports Second Amendment. Before the next election he might see a debating coach. Strong fundraiser.	Performed poorly in the debates last time, is an also-ran without Santorum's likely momentum in a race that will probably also have multiple of the other Republican Governors, also passed a state version of the DREAM Act and mandated vaccines for schoolgirls.	He has stated that he might run again.

Possible Democratic candidates

Candidate	Pros	Cons	Trending ...
Hillary Clinton	Has wanted to be President for decades, has Clinton machine and big money behind her, quitting Secretary of State position lets her run, she will have the 'sexist' card at her disposal.	Role in Benghazi and decades worth of scandals going back to the 90s, feminist.	Claims not interested now, but will likely run anyways.
Joe Biden	Tries to set image as he's 'one of the folks' even though he's a millionaire. He'll have Obama's Chicago machine.	Very gaffe-prone, VP to an unpopular administration.	Currently yukking it up as Obama's Vice-President. Hasn't talked about running...yet. Should be good seeing how him and Hillary deal with each other on the stage.
Andrew Cuomo	Tried to make himself look like a fiscal conservative, he's part of a political family like Jeb and Hillary.	Uncompelling, declared intentions to confiscate guns from lawful gun owners.	His father, the former Governor, has already said he intends for him to run.
Mark Warner	Senator from a swing state with a relatively moderate record who voted against the NDAA, all of which might give him points with independents that the other Democrats won't have.	He still votes with his party most of the time.
Martin O'Malley	Partisan, anti-war liberal.	Martin who? He has low name recognition. Fiercely supports raising taxes, although that might help in the primary.
Elizabeth Warren	Popular in Occupy Wall Street and other progressive circles.	Caught lying about being a Native American so she could get affirmative action at Harvard, her very liberal record and rhetoric probably won't resonate in states less liberal than Massachusetts.	Just won election to the Senate against Scott Brown.
Evan Bayh