(Providence, Rhode Island) - I have an exciting movie project to tell you about - a movie concerning an issue that has stirred a lot of political debate. More about that in a minute, but first I promised I would handicap the 2016 Republican Presidential hopefuls as of now, just as we looked at Democrats last week. Here we go!

"Bush v. Clinton" - It's not outside the realm of possibility that we could see another Bush-Clinton "family feud" a la 1992. Right now, Hillary Clinton is the Democratic frontrunner, and Jeb Bush has a realistic shot at being the Republican nominee should he choose to run. Bush is a potential powerhouse for a number of reasons. He could put Florida (and its 29 votes) back in the GOP Electoral College column. Bush, who is fluent in Spanish, has polled well among Hispanic voters (his wife is Colombian). So he could help close that voter gap for Republicans. The bottom line: This race would just be plain fascinating to cover. It's the best headline maker among the possibilities.

"Candid Camera" - The outspoken and gruff Governor of New Jersey, Chris Christie, is also a good bet to run in the GOP primary. He's candid, quotable, colorful and spontaneous (which can be good and bad). The bottom line: He's a refreshing change from the rehearsed speeches and canned sound bites that dominate American politics. He's the Forrest Gump "box of chocolates" candidate because you never know what you are going to get. People like his brash self-confidence and bravado. The fact that he was recently in the ultra-liberal San Francisco Bay Area for a fundraiser tells you he's serious.

"Si, Senor Rubio" - Marco Rubio, who might have been Vice President right now had Mitt Romney picked him and won the Presidency, is a top-tier candidate. Then again he might be president of the Poland Spring water company after that awkward drink of water during the State of the Union response! I think they should call that incident "Watergate!" Okay, I'll stop with my stand-up comedy routine. But, seriously, Rubio could be the Hispanic version of Barack Obama. He's young, energetic, and bright and has a compelling personal story. People like the "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" stories. It's truly American! One caveat: If Jeb Bush runs, Rubio won't. The two are close, and Bush is Rubio's mentor. In fact, Rubio ran for the Senate at Bush's encouragement, after Bush himself had passed on the race.

"Ohio Rules" - I seriously think we will have a contender from Ohio. Either Governor John Kasich or Senator Rob Portman will run. Why? Because the GOP cannot win the White House without Ohio - never has, never will. Both men are budget experts, and we will likely come out of the Obama years with a federal deficit in excess of 20 trillion dollars. I'm not saying the GOP can fix it either, but Kasich was House Budget Committee Chairman and Portman was Director of the White House Office of Management and Budget. These guys are number crunchers at a time when it's going to be an asset to have that experience on the resume.

"There She Goes" - A big problem for the GOP may continue to be the gender gap. Republicans don’t have to win the female vote; they just need to be more competitive. I don’t think Sarah Palin will run (because she can't win); and I don’t think Condoleezza Rice will run (even though she could win). Look for a female VP candidate to get serious consideration. Rice is plausible, as is Governor Susana Martinez of New Mexico. If Hillary Clinton is the Democratic nominee, a female Republican on the ticket is almost a certainty.

"Long Shots" - Former Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels has the right mix of political and private sector acumen. He's a possibility. Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky made headlines by teeing off on Hillary Clinton in the recent Libya hearings. He really skewered her, without coming off as a bully. But he's too closely allied with the Tea Party, and its power is starting to wane. Paul may be a viable Presidential candidate someday, but I don't think that day is on the 2016 calendar.

Paul Ryan, another possible candidate, would have to give up a safe House seat and his Budget Committee Chairmanship. Look, he could not even carry his home state of Wisconsin for the GOP in 2012, and the party needs to win the Badger State to get back into the White House. Like Rand Paul, Ryan may be viable another year, but likely not 2016.

"Amazing Ops: Siege at Benghazi" - As mentioned at the top, I am doing some of the public relations work for a film now in production, "Amazing Ops: Siege at Benghazi." It is being produced by some friends at HistoriVision LLC (www.HistoriVision.com) and is an important film aimed at explaining what happened in Libya on September 11, 2012. If you've ever wondered about how Special Operations and Intelligence forces operate, this is the film to watch. Look at the movie trailer and click on the link if you’d like to help make it reality! http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/historivision/amazing-ops-siege-at-b....

As always, if you have opinions, questions or disagreements, just click the comment button at www.MarkCurtisMedia.com.

(Corning, New York) – I am on the road this weekend, keeping an eye on politics in New York State. It occurs to me that this state may produce two Presidential candidates in 2016 – Hillary Clinton and Andrew Cuomo. This week we look at them and other possible candidates on the Democratic side.

“New York, New York” - Yes, there could be double trouble from the Empire State. The other day I saw my first “Hillary 2016” bumper sticker, as I drove up I-95. Many people assume she’s a shoo-in for the nomination and the White House. Presuming that outcome could be a terrible mistake. At 55, Andrew Cuomo has been U.S. Secretary of Housing, New York Attorney General and now Governor. He also has a famous last name, was even married to a Kennedy for thirteen years, and has star power. He’s likely a viable candidate for the next four election cycles.

“Great Expectations” – Okay, Hillary Clinton is the frontrunner, but that’s no guarantee. In December of 2007, just weeks before the Iowa Caucuses and New Hampshire primary, Hillary Clinton was the Democratic frontrunner and Rudy Giuliani was the Republican frontrunner, both by substantial margins. Neither made it to the finish line. So enjoy today’s polls, but take them with a grain of salt.

“Don’t Pass Bayh”- Former Indiana Governor and U.S. Senator Evan Bayh remains a real sleeper of a candidate. Bayh was a moderate and never shied away from supporting more conservative GOP stands. In short, he can work with the other side of the aisle, which may serve him well if we see another voter backlash against politics as usual and gridlock in Washington. Bayh is 57 and also comes with a famous last name. While he has spoken publicly with disdain for partisan politics and excessive fundraising, don’t count him out if liberals in the party are divided. He could be “Plan B.”

“No, Not John! The Other Warner!”- When you say the name "Warner" in discussing Virginia politics, most people assume you are talking about former Senator and Navy Secretary John Warner; but there is a second Warner prominent in Virginia politics. Current Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) is also a former Governor and a self-made millionaire. At 58, Warner gave the Keynote Address, which was very well received, at the 2008 Democratic National Convention. Perhaps most important, he hails from what is now a “must win” swing state. Democrats carried Virginia in 2008 and 2012 after the Republicans had won the state in every previous Presidential race since 1964. It’s no longer a guaranteed red state; and Warner on the 2016 ticket – even as VP - is a real possibility. Keep an eye on him.

“Senor Richardson” – Like Hillary Clinton, Bill Richardson is 65 and may take one last shot at the White House. Richardson has been a Congressman, a governor, U.N. Ambassador, and Secretary of Energy. It’s been said that former President George H.W. Bush had the longest resume in Washington. Well, Bill Richardson probably lands in second place. His mom was Latina; and his dad was half-Mexican, half-Anglo. His appeal to the growing Hispanic voting block could be a huge asset. On the other hand, his reputation as a “loose cannon” on foreign policy and his apparently self-aggrandizing overseas missions have brought him much criticism. Still, as a party elder, he could also fill the VP slot, much as party statesmen Dick Cheney and Joe Biden have done.

“Long Shots” – Lots of other names get tossed about, from the possible - Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley - to the completely improbable - Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts (Yes, there are already "Warren for President" bumper stickers on cars I see on I-95). But the most intriquing long shot is former Democratic Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer. He is a glib, colorful and sometimes provocative public speaker. Think of a Democratic Chris Christie. Like Christie, Schweitzer is fun to cover and is always a quotable headline maker,
which the press loves. He’s thinking of running for the U.S. Senate, so even if he passes on the White House, we could be hearing lots from him.

Is there anyone you’d like to see on my list? Some think it’s time for new faces in both parties. In an upcoming blog, I will do a similar analysis of potential Republican Presidential candidates.

As always, questions and comments are welcome. Just click the comment button at www.MarkCurtisMedia.com.

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