Really? As I recall, a bunch of them ran in 2012. How'd that work out for prognostication?
2 issues were on the minds of the GOP nomination candidates who ran in 2012.
The first was 2012 was a soft rat year. By that, I mean the time favored the rats but that there was an actual shot of the GOP nominee winning the general election unlike in 2008.
Our recent Presidential elections have followed a pattern of 2 rats terms then 2 GOP terms for 72 years with only 1 exception.
1944-1952 FDR/Truman
1952-1960 Ike
1960-1968 JFK/Johnson
1968-1976 Nixon/Ford
1976-1984 Carter/Reagan *one exception
1984-1992 Reagan/Bush
1992-2000 Clinton
2000-2008 Bush
2008-2016 Obama
This is caused by an article in our US Constitution that allows most people, even those who are extremely stupid, to vote.
The hard party years were 1944(d) 1952(r) 1960(d) 1968(r) 1976(d) 1984(r) 1992(d) 2000(r) 2008(d) 2016(r)
The soft party years were 1948 1956 1964 1972 1980 1988 1998 2004 2012 2020
In the soft party years the opposing party is unlikely to unseat the governing party but it has a better chance than in a hard party year.
Because of this pattern I would bet money that the next GOP candidate will win the general election in 2016.
The other issue for the candidates is a trend. Recent elections show the GOP primary voters favor a candidate who has run and lost at least once before. This was true of Romney, McCain, Dole, Bush Sr, Reagan, and Nixon.
Therefore if a candidate really wants to win the 2016 GOP nomination they should have ran for, and lost the GOP nomination in 2012 or earlier.
Those candidates would included Perry, Huckabee, Santorum, Kasich, and Romney. The only reason I wouldn't bet money on those candidates is that Dubya won the nomination in 2000 without running for President before, because he could cash-in on the Bush name and experience. Jeb has already cashed in on the Bush dynasty and money network to a great degree and I'm pretty sure he will win the GOP nomination.
Now, that is NOT what I want to happen...it is just what I expect...and I'm alright with that. Jeb would be a solid President.
What I'd like to see is my Governor Scott Walker win. I think it is unlikely but I like to root for the underdog.