“Alarmed by the rise of noninterventionist voices in his party, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) is aiming to revive his political prospects in an unlikely way: trying to become the leading voice for a muscular brand of foreign policy,” the New York Times reports.

“The road to presidential success in Iowa and New Hampshire may not run through the Crimean Peninsula or the streets of Caracas, but in recent weeks Mr. Rubio has used Russia’s incursion into Ukraine and the violent clashes in Venezuela to remind Republicans of their orthodoxy — projecting strength abroad — and of why he was such a favorite in the party before seeing his popularity slip over his backing of an immigration overhaul.”

Amy Walter: “It’s clear Rubio isn’t standing still. As many in the media have started to document, the peripatetic freshman has been busy building a robust domestic and foreign policy portfolio and remains a top guest at GOP fundraising events. ”

Wall Street Journal: “Before New Hampshire voters begin relishing their role as early vetters of 2016 presidential candidates, they may be hosting a marquee Senate race in 2014. But for now, that political show is missing a leading man.”

“No top-tier Republican candidate has yet stepped forward to run against Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, and a new poll out Thursday shows her with a double-digit lead even over the man GOP leaders most want to run.”

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) told The Nation that he’s “prepared to run for president” in 2016.

Said Sanders: “I don’t believe that I am the only person out there who can fight this fight, but I am certainly prepared to look seriously at that race.”

He added: “The same old same old Robert Rubin type of economics, or centrist politics, or continued dependence on big money, or unfettered free trade, that is not what this country needs ideologically. That is not the type of policy that we need. And it is certainly not going to be the politics that galvanizes the tens of millions of people today who are thoroughly alienated and disgusted with the status quo.”

The New York Times reports the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee is starting a digital campaign that will use Internet ads and videos to tie Republican Senate candidates to the policies and actions of the Koch brothers.”

Its slogan: “The GOP is addicted to Koch.”

“Up first on the list is Alaska, where Democrats will try to link Dan Sullivan and Mead Treadwell, the Republican Senate candidates, to an oil refinery in the state owned by Koch Cos. Public Sector. The refinery is set to cease gasoline and jet fuel production, which would lead to the layoffs of roughly 80 refinery workers.”

A new Public Policy Polling survey finds that Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) has now become the least popular U.S. Senator in the country.

Key findings: “Only 30% of Arizonans approve of the job McCain is doing to 54% who disapprove. There isn’t much variability in his numbers by party- he’s at 35/55 with Republicans, 29/53 with Democrats, and 25/55 with independents, suggesting he could be vulnerable to challenges in both the primary and general elections the next time he’s up.”

A new Rasmussen Reports survey in Texas finds Greg Abbott (R) leading Wendy Davis (D) in the race for governor, 53% to 41%.

The Hill: “Hillary Clinton’s K Street network is preparing for a White House run in 2016. With Democrats in Congress already anointing Clinton as the party’s standard-bearer, lobbyists are pledging their allegiance and making clear they will do whatever they can to help the former first lady become first in command.”

“If not, I’ll go work at Wal-Mart. I’ve got to have a job.”

— 90-year old Rep. Ralph Hall (R-TX), quoted by Fox News, when asked if he’ll win his runoff.