GOP mulls 32 candidates for president in 2016 — so far

If you thought the 13-candidate clogged 2012 Republican presidential primaries were too crowded and confusing, then you might want to skip the 2016 process — because the Republican Party is suggesting that 32 might be interested in running.

The Republican National Committee is operating a 2016 Presidential straw poll that lists all 32, including former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz. It’s all part of a fundraiser.

The poll asks users to pick their three top choices. No results are available yet. The list:

– Sen. Kelly Ayotte, of New Hampshire

Haley Barbour, former Mississippi governor

– John Bolton, former ambassador to the United Nations

Jeb Bush, former Florida governor

– Herman Cain, a radio host

Ben Carson, author and neurosurgeon

– Chris Christie, New Jersey governor

– Sen. Ted Cruz, of Texas

– Mitch Daniels, former Indiana governor

Newt Gingrich, former House speaker

Nikki Haley, South Carolina governor

Mike Huckabee, former Arkansas governor

Bobby Jindal, Louisiana governor

– John Kasich, Ohio governor

– Rep. Peter King, of New York

Susana Martinez, New Mexico governor

– Sarah Palin, former Alaska governor

– Sen. Rand Paul, of Kentucky

– Former Rep. Ron Paul, of Texas

– Tim Pawlenty, former Minnesota governor

– Mike Pence, Indiana governor

– Rick Perry, Texas governor

– Sen. Rob Portman, of Ohio

Condoleezza Rice, former secretary of state

– Sen. Marco Rubio, of Florida

– Rep. Paul Ryan, of Wisconsin

– Brian Sandoval, Nevada governor

Rick Santorum, former Pennsylvania senator

– Sen. Tim Scott, of South Carolina

– Sen. John Thune, of South Dakota

Scott Walker, Wisconsin governor

– Former Rep. Allen West, of Florida

Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected].

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