Republican Texas Gov. Rick Perry announced in 2013 that he would not be seeking re-election, leading to speculation he might mount a second White House bid. 
Mitt Romney probably won't be running for president again in 2016. He has suggested the chances of a third run are close to a million to one. But that hasn't kept some Republicans from encouraging him to enter the race if another legitimate candidate doesn't step up. Ann Romney, for her part, is not excited at the prospect. She told the LA Times Oct. 14th that she and her husband are "done done done" with running for office. Romney is still a draw on the campaign circuit. He is shown here stumping for senate candidate Joni Ernst in Iowa Oct. 11, 2014. (Photo by David Greedy/Getty Images) 
Hillary Clinton continues to have an overwhelming lead over other possible 2016 Democratic presidential candidates. Although the former first lady and secretary of state has not said whether she'll run, a group of PACs and advocacy organizations have begun the process of raising money and aiding a hypothetical campaign. 
Vice President Joe Biden has twice before made unsuccessful bids for the Oval Office -- in 1988 and 2008. A former senator known for his foreign policy and national security expertise, Biden made the rounds on the morning shows recently and said he thinks he'd "make a good President." 
Sen. Marco Rubio, a Republican rising star from Florida, was swept into office in 2010 on the back of tea party fervor. But his support of comprehensive immigration reform, which passed the Senate but has stalled in the House, has led some in his party to sour on his prospects. 
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has fallen out of the top spot among potential Republican presidential candidates with a political scandal roiling his administration. 
Rep. Paul Ryan, a former 2012 vice presidential candidate and fiscally conservative budget hawk, says he's "keeping my options open" for a possible presidential run but is not focused on it. 
Sen. Rand Paul has said that he was seriously considering a run for president in 2016. If the tea party favorite decides to jump in, he likely will have to address previous controversies that include comments on civil rights, a plagiarism allegation, and his assertion the top NSA official lied to Congress about surveillance. 
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz plans to travel to states that factor into the early nomination process. The first-term Republican and tea party darling is considered a gifted orator and smart politician. He is best known in the Senate for his marathon filibuster over defunding Obamacare. 
Maryland Democratic Gov. Martin O'Malley released a "buzzy" political video in November 2013 in tandem with visits to New Hampshire. He also headlined a Democratic Party event in South Carolina, which holds the first southern primary. 
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal said recently it's too early to announce whether he'll run. Jindal has said he wants to focus on "winning the war of ideas" before making a decision on his presidential ambitions. 
Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, a social conservative, gave Mitt Romney his toughest challenge in the nomination fight last time out and has made trips recently to early voting states, including Iowa and South Carolina. 
Political observers expect New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo to yield to Hillary Clinton should she run in 2016, fearing there wouldn't be room in the race for two Democrats from the Empire State. Should she not jump in, Cuomo would then be a potential candidate. 
Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin is considered a possible Republican candidate, but he told CNN that his priority is to first help the GOP capture the Senate in next November's midterms. 
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush has said his decision to run for the Republican nomination will be based on two things -- his family and whether he can lift America's spirit. His father and brother formerly served as President.
- George W. Bush sees a 50-50 chance his brother Jeb will run for president
- Bush and other members of the family have been publicly encouraging a run
- Bush 43 says it is worth it to put your family through a presidential campaign
(CNN) -- "I think it's 50-50."
That was former President George W. Bush's take on the likelihood of his brother, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, running for president in 2016.
"I know that he's wrestling with the decision," Bush said in an interview Sunday on CBS' "Face the Nation." "I'd give it a toss-up."
Bush has not been shy about publicly encouraging his younger brother to run for president in 2016.
Last month, he told Fox News that he thinks his brother "wants to be president."
Bush 43 admitted that he does "occasionally fuel speculation" about his brother's political ambitions, but said he does so because he thinks his brother is the man for the job.
"He'd be a great president," Bush said. "And the country could use an optimistic view like his."
"I know this about Jeb: He is not afraid to succeed. In other words, I think he knows he could do the job. And nor is he afraid to fail."
Since exiting politics in 2008, George W. Bush has retreated to a quieter life in Texas, spending much of his time painting and doing charitable work. But should his brother decide to take the leap, Bush says he would be ready to help out in any way he can.
"I'll do whatever he wants," Bush said. "I will be one of his strongest backers. If he wants me out there publicly, I'll be out there publicly. If he wants me behind the scenes, I'll be behind the scenes. ... I'm all in for him. "
But for now, he's just waiting for his brother to weigh out the pros and cons himself.
"He's not here knocking on my door, you know, agonizing about the decision," Bush said. "He knows exactly ... the ramifications on family, for example. He's seen his dad and his brother go through the presidency."
Earlier this year, Jeb Bush stressed the importance of his family in the process of considering a bid, telling CNN affiliate WFOR, "The decision will be based on, 'Can I do it joyfully?' ... And is it right for my family?"
But according to his older brother, Jeb shouldn't be so worried about that second part.
Asked if it's worth it to put a family through a presidential run, George W. Bush told CBS on Sunday, "Yeah, it is."
Perhaps he says that because the majority of Jeb Bush's immediate family seems to be on board with the decision.
Two weeks ago, Jeb's son George P. Bush, who has since been elected land commissioner of Texas, told ABC that his father is "more than likely" eyeing a 2016 run.
In April, Jeb Bush's younger brother Neil said their father, former president George H. W. Bush, also endorsed the idea.
Thus far, the only member of the Bush clan to publicly reject the idea of Jeb Bush running for president has been his mother, Barbara Bush, who told PBS in January, "I hope he won't."
Get ready: 2016 starts now
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