The one* potentially not ludicrous contender for the 2016 Republican nomination has ruled himself out. TPM:
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence (R) will not run for president in 2016, according to the Indiana Republican Party chairman on Monday.
Indiana GOP chairman Jeff Cardwell said on the party's website that Pence would seek re-election in 2016 and not run for president. Cardwell said Pence would formally announce his plans at the Indiana GOP's Spring Dinner in June, according to the Indianapolis Star.
What's left? A row of human pinatas, waiting for the big stick of the general election.
*Jeb Bush - destroyed his chances last week by making his brother look like the smart one.
*Chris Christie - an unpleasant person who was been fatally wounded by the Bridgegate confessions in the last few weeks.
*Scott Walker - will be eviscerated in the general by the data about the actual performance of the Wisconsin economy under his watch.
*Rand Paul - overgrown frat boy.
*Ted Cruz - is Ted Cruz.
*Half a dozen other clowns not worth discussing.
Even after the recent "discriminating against gays in the name of religious freedom" mess in Indiana, Pence was more formidable than any of these, because he had the dog whistles to excite the crazed Republican base but also a track record of economic management in Indiana that would appeal to a casually-informed voter.
Very glad to see him out of the running.
*Kasich still remains, I suppose. However, he's got no money and even Republicans don't know who he is. Cincy Inquirer:
Two New Hampshire polls late last month included Kasich. In one poll, 1 percent of the 429 GOP likely primary voters chose Kasich, and 41 percent of poll respondents didn't even recognize his name. In the other, which had 500 participants, not a single person picked Kasich as their first choice – not even the undecided voters, when they were pressed to pick a favorite.
If he does get some traction, the other primary candidates will rip him apart for being an "Obamacare lover" and feed him to the base.