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The 2016 Republican presidential field could be bigger than any in recent memory thanks to a growing second tier of potential contenders.

While several prominent politicians already have insinuated themselves into the mix, from Ted Cruz to Rand Paul to Chris Christie to Jeb Bush, a number of under-the-radar names are now flirting with a 2016 candidacy.

They may be the long shots, but could shake things up -- by playing the spoiler in key primaries, positioning themselves as a potential running mate for the eventual nominee or even becoming a dark horse competitor in the final stage.

"It is definitely a new phenomenon," Ronald Reagan biographer Craig Shirley said of the increasingly crowded fields. (The 2008 and 2012 GOP contests were a political demolition derby.) "I don't think this has anything to do with the growth of the United States, you just have more people who are convinced they are qualified to run for president."

Some potential candidates are hardly new to the game, including Rick Santorum and others.

Longtime Republican pollster Glen Bolger said the lure is especially strong for pols who have inhabited that spotlight. "They figure, Barack Obama can come out of nowhere," he said, referring to the president's leap from one-term senator to president. "They think, 'I can be different, I can break the mold and get the nomination'."

He added: "[But] it's like catching lightning in a bottle. I won't say it can't be done, but that's what a lot of these candidates are relying on."

George Pataki, the three-term former New York governor, has said he's weighing a 2016 run, and he seems to be taking the idea seriously. He launched a super PAC called Americans for Real Change, which produced an ad this fall timed with appearances in New Hampshire. His message: fiscal responsibility, with a populist twist.

"Big government benefits the rich and powerful. They can afford to play the game -- you can't," he says in his televised ad. "It's time for a new America, with much smaller federal government. Washington can't run the economy, and shouldn't try to run our lives."

Asked about a possible bid, Pataki told Fox Business Network in November: "I'm thinking about it."

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Long-shot Republican candidates weigh spicing up 2016 race

USAID Will Continue It #39;s #39;Democracy #39; Program in Cuba
Nor will it be required to do so, says Sujatha Fernandes, Professor of Sociology at Queens College, while the release of the Cuban Five remains testimony to ...

By: TheRealNews

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USAID Will Continue It's 'Democracy' Program in Cuba - Video

Democracy 3 - Le Green Party des USA #6
Playlist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dduBKssUAFQ list=PLj6xCRLnrVjlOE06EPRo8J-xvRQYxO4yq Abonnez Vous ! https://www.youtube.com/user/Kingleazard?feature=mhee Si vous avez ...

By: Kingleazard

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Democracy 3 - Le Green Party des USA #6 - Video

Excessive allegations by the media can weaken democracy, particularly when allegations replace proper criticism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said here Saturday.

"Criticism can help prevent mistakes and enable reveal the truth. Every decision, every thought must be criticised. If there is no criticism in a democracy, then there is a problem. However, in recent times, there hasn't been proper criticism, as allegations have replaced criticism," Modi said during the platinum jubilee celebrations of Marathi newspaper Pudhari here.

He termed "samvad" (dialogue/debate) as very important for a democracy to thrive, along with "vivad" (criticism).

"But these days, there is no healthy criticism. Sadly there are mostly allegations. It is like a 'tu tu, main main' (pointing fingers) scenario," Modi said.

The prime minister called for a thorough analysis and study of criticism as it has become a casualty of speed in the modern era.

"The need of the hour is healthy criticism, not allegations."

The prime minister said people looked up to the media to provide good, truthful news as a dialogue was imperative for the survival of democracy.

"The credibility that the media enjoys today also gives it immense responsibility. Pudhari is one newspaper that has fulfilled this responsibility. It has overcome obstacles, persevered and won against all odds during India's freedom struggle," Modi said, lauding the newspaper's contributions.

Newspapers, especially the regional media, displayed great courage during the country's freedom struggle.

He appreciated the newspaper's chairman, Pratapsinh Jadhav, for highlighting issues related to Kolhapur, especially the issue of toll collection. A few toll booths were vandalised and burnt in Kolhapur in January 2014.

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Excessive allegations weaken democracy: PM

WASHINGTON Theres an old Cold War joke pre-pantyhose that to defeat communism we should empty our B-52 bombers of nuclear weapons and instead drop nylons over the Soviet Union. Flood the Russians with the soft consumer culture of capitalism, seduce them with Western contact and commerce, love bomb them intofreedom.

We did win the Cold War, but differently. We contained, constrained, squeezed and eventually exhausted the Soviets into giving up. The dissidents inside subsequently told us how much they were sustained by our support for them and our implacable pressure on theiroppressors.

The logic behind President Barack

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WASHINGTON Theres an old Cold War joke pre-pantyhose that to defeat communism we should empty our B-52 bombers of nuclear weapons and instead drop nylons over the Soviet Union. Flood the Russians with the soft consumer culture of capitalism, seduce them with Western contact and commerce, love bomb them intofreedom.

We did win the Cold War, but differently. We contained, constrained, squeezed and eventually exhausted the Soviets into giving up. The dissidents inside subsequently told us how much they were sustained by our support for them and our implacable pressure on theiroppressors.

The logic behind President Barack Obamas Cuba normalization, assuming there is one, is the nylon strategy. We tried 50 years of containment and that didnt bring democracy. So lets try inundating them with American goods, visitors, culture, contact,commerce.

Its not a crazy argument. But it does have its weaknesses. Normalization has not advanced democracy in China or Vietnam. Indeed, it hasnt done so in Cuba. Except for the U.S., Cuba has had normal relations with the rest of the world for decades. Tourists, trade, investment from Canada, France, Britain, Spain, everywhere. An avalanche of nylons and not an inch of movement in Cuba towardfreedom.

In fact, one could argue that this influx of Western money has helped preserve the dictatorship, as just about all the financial transactions go through the government, which takes for itself before any trickle-down crumbs are allowed to reach the regime-indenturedmasses.

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Charles Krauthammer: Nylon strategy for Cuba a pure giveaway - Sat, 03 Jan 2015 PST