Ken Thomas Posts

Undeterred by indictment, Texas Gov. Rick Perry intends to travel to three major 2016 primary states during the next two weeks even as he faces the prospects of a highly unpresidential booking on felony charges. Perry, a potential 2016 Republican presidential candidate, could answer two felony counts of abuse of power this week and be forced to sit for a booking photo and fingerprinting in response to a political dispute that has roiled his home state.

Hillary Rodham Clinton says she knows she has a decision to make about running to become the first female president, and believes "we need to break down that highest, hardest glass ceiling in American politics."

Hillary Rodham Clinton said Tuesday the nation's gun culture has gotten "way out of balance" and the U.S. needs to rein in the notion that "anybody can have a gun, anywhere, anytime." The former Secretary of State and potential 2016 Democratic presidential candidate said the idea that anyone can have a gun is not in the "best interest of the vast majority of people." But she said that approach does not conflict with the rights of people to own firearms.

West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin said Sunday he's keeping "all options open" on whether to seek the governor's office in 2016 or remain in the Senate, where he has expressed frustration with partisanship and gridlock. Manchin, a Democrat, said his time as governor was the most productive period in his life but he hasn't felt the same way since his election to the Senate in 2010 to finish the term of the late Democratic Sen. Robert Byrd.

The Republican National Committee wants NBC and CNN to cancel upcoming programs on Hillary Rodham Clinton and is threatening to blackball the networks from future Republican presidential debates if they fail to comply.

Married same-sex couples now can donate to political campaigns in the same way as straight couples, according to the Federal Election Commission. This follows the Supreme Court decision to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act, and it's one of the first federal changes to directly stem from that ruling.

Gates joked that he didn't think his wife, the highly-regarded philanthropist, would run for president. The former president then chimed in, to laughter, "Hillary hasn't mentioned it to me, either." Clinton said the former Secretary of State and New York senator was taking a role at the Clinton Foundation, writing a book and "having a little fun being a private citizen for the first time in 20 years."

Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky said Wednesday he is considering a presidential campaign in 2016. Paul is the son of former Texas Rep. Ron Paul, a libertarian Republican who sought the presidency in 1988, 2008 and 2012.

Ryan, R-Wis., said in a speech to the Susan B. Anthony List that those who oppose abortion "need to work with people who consider themselves pro-choice — because our task isn't to purge our ranks. It's to grow them."

Much has happened since Bush departed the governor's office in Tallahassee in 2007. From the sidelines, he watched the Great Recession, the rise of both Obama and the tea party, and ongoing budget battles.

Despite his TV appearances, Bush's book tour does not exactly resemble the itinerary of a future presidential candidate — he has no immediate plans to go to Iowa and New Hampshire, the first states to hold nominating elections. He started the week in New York and planned to travel to Washington before weather forced event cancellations. Bush was scheduled to appear at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California on Friday, in the northern Kentucky suburbs of Cincinnati on March 14 and at a private event in Phoenix on March 18.

On March 15, Bush will keynote the Reagan dinner at the Conservative Political Action Conference, a plum speaking role at the annual gathering of prominent conservatives. And next month, George W. Bush will dedicate his presidential library in Dallas, bringing more attention to the Bush legacy.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton remains the heavy favorite of the Democratic party faithful, but Biden is making clear that he has no intention of closing any doors that could lead to the White House — especially if Clinton decides not to run.