John Bolton Mulling Over 2016 Presidential Bid

John Bolton, whom former President George W. Bush appointed as ambassador to the United Nations for 16 months (despite never winning confirmation in the U.S. Senate), is considering running for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016, according to a report from Robert Costa over at National Review.

Bolton had raised the possibility that he would be open to a presidential campaign to highlight foreign-policy issues early in the 2012 election. This time out, with the presidential prospects of U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., picking up steam, Bolton could serve as counterpoint to the senator from Kentucky on foreign policy. While Paul is more of an isolationist, Bolton favors a more vigilant foreign policy.

Bolton would clearly be an underdog if he entered the race but, as recent performances by the likes of Herman Cain, Rick Santorum, Ron Paul, Michele Bachmann and Mike Huckabee have shown, dark horses can shape the Republican presidential contest even if they aren't top contenders for the nomination.