Panelists Propose 2016 Presidential Election Candidates

Over three years before the next presidential election, panelists at the JFK Jr. Forum said the race is former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s to lose because no other Democrats are as popular as she is and the Republican Party is not unified.

The panel—entitled “It’s Never Too Early: Election 2016”—was moderated by C.M. Trey Grayson ’94, director of the Institute of Politics, and included four panelists: CNN Political Contributor Paul Begala, CNBC Political Analyst Robert Costa, former Spokesperson and Director of Communications for the Democratic National Committee Karen Finney, and Institute of Politics fellow Ana Navarro.

The panelists suggested that many of the 2016 presidential candidates would be politicians who had run for the office before.

“Running for president is like having sex. You don’t do it once and then stop,” Begala said.

Despite Clinton’s loss in the 2008 Democratic primary, the panelists unanimously agreed that she is the candidate facing the most favorable political landscape. Begala said that Clinton has unprecedented early support and said that he had “worn out [his] knees” begging her to run for office.

Finney said she thinks that Clinton does not yet know if she will actually run for president. Furthermore, Finney said that Clinton’s age will factor into the politician’s decision.

Begala said that one obstacle Clinton might face is that Democrats tend to want someone “new and fresh.” He said it can be difficult to go from a younger candidate to an older candidate.

Despite Clinton’s formidable support, Costa said that Republicans do not see her as unbeatable.

“Republicans sense an opportunity to beat her because of the generational divide,” Costa said.

Panelists also pointed to Vice President Joe Biden as a potentially strong Democratic candidate.

“He’s like the holy spirit, he shows up everywhere,” Navarro said.

Panelists said that prospects are far less clear on the Republican side.

Navarro said that several Republicans have been “hot for 15 minutes,” but that no one yet has shown the ability to sustain momentum and break away from the pack.

Navarro pointed to controversial Texas Senator Ted Cruz, who was very vocal during the recent government shutdown, as an example of a hot Republican of the moment.

“Cruz is going to out-conservative everyone,” said Costa.

Panelists also singled out New Jersey Governor Chris Christie as a potentially strong Republican presidential candidate.

Although Jeb Bush may be one of the most talented candidates, panelists said his family name could be a huge political liability.

“Maybe he could change his name to something more appealing, like Kardashian,” said Begala.

Also noted among potential Republican hopefuls was Kentucky Senator Rand Paul.

Paul, Finney said, “has been changing his behavior,” an indicator that he “wants it.” The Senator once known for fringe issues has recently been focusing on more mainstream projects like promoting farming. Paul, Begala said, could also fill an important void for anti-war Republican voters.

Marco Rubio, 2012 candidates like Rick Santorum and Rick Perry, and several mid-western governors were also mentioned as potential contenders.