Does an early announcement by Clinton prompt early announcements by the GOP?

[Mr. Morden]

As noted here:

https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=164982.msg4289434#msg4289434

Hillary Clinton has suggested that she'll announce her intentions in early 2015.  If she announces as early as January, does that prompt the GOP candidates to quickly follow suit?

http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/run-2016/2014/09/08/how-hillary-clintons-2016-timeline-will-affect-republicans

You must be logged in to read this quote.

[IceSpear]

Who cares when Hillary announces? She's going to get steamrolled by the juggernaut Martin O'Malley anyway.

[Never]

If Clinton announces that she will run for president very early next year, that should call for at least a few major Republicans to make clear that they are running as well. It wouldn't be in the GOP's best interests to allow Clinton to be the only voice on the campaign trail, since that would surely augment her current advantage over Republicans. On the other hand, if some Republicans do announce their candidacy in roughly the same time period as Clinton is expected to, it makes clear to the general public that there are options aside from her.

[New_Conservative]

If Clinton announces that she will run for president very early next year, that should call for at least a few major Republicans to make clear that they are running as well. It wouldn't be in the GOP's best interests to allow Clinton to be the only voice on the campaign trail, since that would surely augment her current advantage over Republicans. On the other hand, if some Republicans do announce their candidacy in roughly the same time period as Clinton is expected to, it makes clear to the general public that there are options aside from her.

Agreed. If Hilary is announcing in January, I'd be shocked if there were no major Republicans declaring their candidacy by the middle of April.

[The Other Castro]

If Clinton announces that she will run for president very early next year, that should call for at least a few major Republicans to make clear that they are running as well. It wouldn't be in the GOP's best interests to allow Clinton to be the only voice on the campaign trail, since that would surely augment her current advantage over Republicans. On the other hand, if some Republicans do announce their candidacy in roughly the same time period as Clinton is expected to, it makes clear to the general public that there are options aside from her.

Agreed. If Hilary is announcing in January, I'd be shocked if there were no major Republicans declaring their candidacy by the middle of April.

I'd be shocked if no major Republicans declared within the following week