As 2012 campaign nears finish, 2016 lurks

Associated Press

BRIAN BAKST, Associated Press, THOMAS BEAUMONT, Associated Press

Updated: Nov 4, 2012 12:03 PM

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Are you relieved or sorry to see the race ending between President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney?

Well, the 2016 campaign is closer than you think.

Regardless of Tuesday's winner, the jockeying to succeed him will begin before long.

Democrats know they'll need a new standard bearer to take over, whatever happens. Republicans hope they won't, but there's a crop of hopefuls at the ready.

On either side, political party dinners in Iowa, Florida, New Hampshire and South Carolina are irresistible for hopefuls eager to introduce themselves to the voters trusted to narrow the field.

Some possible contenders have fired up political action committees allowing them to start refining donor lists and spreading around contributions.

Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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