WASHINGTON, DC, March 7, 2013 ― In politics today, the sequester cuts remain in place, although it is unclear how much they really matter; a new poll puts Hillary Clinton ahead of both Democratic and Republican contenders for the 2016 election; Rand Paul ends his filibuster to block John Brennan as head of the CIA and raises his political profile.
The sequester cuts remain a significant political issue today. Last night, President Obama skirted Republican leaders and met with those rank-and-file Republicans who have worked with the Administration in the past, in hopes of breaking the deficit deadlock. As the crisis drags on, Obama is facing increased skepticism over his warnings of the dire impact of the sequester, and politicians on both sides are taking heat for failing to come to any compromise. While the issue remains hot in media and Administration press releases, no movement is likely today…or for the rest of the week, for that matter. Democrats and Republicans are set to hold new discussions on the gridlock next week.
A new poll shows that Hillary Clinton leads the pack of 2016 presidential hopefuls. The Quinnipack Poll shows that right now, Clinton is ahead of Vice President Joe Biden and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on the Democrat side, and also ahead of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, and Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan. The poll gives Clinton a 45-37 percent lead over Christie, a 50-38 percent victory over Ryan, and a 50-34 percent win over Rubio. Despite the push, however, new rumors suggest she is vacillating about officially entering the campaign. With everyone sharpening their knives, her hesitation is understandable. The question on everyone’s mind now: Will Hillary run in 2016?
The next question revolves around the political aspirations, and chances, for Kentucky Senator Rand Paul. Paul, who ended his 13 hour filibuster against Obama’s CIA nominee, John Brennan last night, has recently raised his political profile. First he took a strong role in questioning Clinton on Benghazi, now the sometimes entertaining and definitely informative filibuster against Brennan. While Paul failed to stop Brennan’s appointment, he did manage to raise his own profile and gain grudging respect from at least some Republican sectors. Certainly he led where others feared to tread. Paul’s “filiblizzard” may have pushed him to the top of the pack. At a minimum, it will make Republicans take a hard look at their current inside-the-lines candidate and ask whether the party needs Rand Paul in 2016.
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