Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) is positioned to capitalize on Mitt Romney’s surprise announcement that he will not make a third White House bid in 2016.
The Badger State executive is sure to use his appearance on ABC’s “This Week” on Sunday to tout his own experience leading a battleground state since 2011. He has already thanked Romney for “opening the door” for another Republican candidate.
Romney taking himself off the list of potential 2016 presidential contenders is sure to drive the conversation on the other Sunday morning shows, too. His 2012 running mate, Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) will appear on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” while a former senior adviser in that same quest, now CNN commentator Kevin Madden, will discuss the GOP field on CNN’s “State of the Union.”
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (R) is likely to discuss his own possible presidential bid on CNN. The same is true of Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who will appear on CBS’s “Face the Nation,” armed with the backing of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), himself a former GOP nominee to the presidency, in 2008.
{mosads}NBC promotional material for “Meet the Press” says that Ryan, the GOP’s budget architect, will also talk about his priorities for the new Congress and where he thinks lawmakers can make progress.
Foreign policy will almost certainly be on the agenda for “Face the Nation,” which includes guests Graham, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), and former Secretary of State James Baker. Expect the guests to talk about the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, the fight against terrorism, and what the new king in Saudi Arabia means for American diplomacy.
“Meet the Press” is also likely to touch on those issues, as it will feature an appearance by former Defense Secretary Robert Gates.
The same can be said about “State of the Union,” where McCain will appear. On the same show, Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) will look to shed light on relations between the United States and Israel, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s forthcoming address to Congress.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) is likely to discuss initiatives for veterans in his state during his appearance on “Fox News Sunday,” including his declaration of Monday, Feb. 2, as “Chris Kyle Day” to honor the “American Sniper” subject.
And while the Sunday shows are always dominated by political news, no one will be ignoring the day’s big event: Super Bowl 49.
“Meet the Press” will speak with DeMaurice Smith, the executive director of the National Football League’s Players Association, while other shows will have spots of their own gearing up for the big game.