Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) tells friends that his “most obvious route to power — a run for the White House in 2016 — holds less appeal to him with each passing day,” Politico reports.

“Instead, Ryan seems increasingly intrigued with the prospect of amassing more power within Congress, using his juice in the House leadership to promote his trademark Medicare plan and engineer spending cuts. The friends say this path could ultimately lead him to an eventual run for House GOP leader, or even speaker, an option they surmise he has warmed to since the election.”

“At the same time, Ryan continues to cultivate a national political and financial network that would serve him in any role.”

Hillary Clinton has put up a new website for her post-State Department career.

Tagg Romney emails ABC News: “I have been humbled by the outreach I received this weekend
encouraging me to become a candidate for the US Senate, but the timing
just doesn’t work.”

Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) “raised just more than $11,000 in
the last three months of 2012 — a paltry total for any incumbent
preparing to seek re-election,” Roll Call reports.

“Lautenberg faces a tough
Democratic primary challenge from Newark Mayor Cory Booker, who
announced last month that he is exploring a bid for the seat.”

Washington Post: “So, what happens if Hillary Clinton doesn’t run in 2016? It is hard to imagine the presidential field without a woman contender, and here’s one to keep your eye on: Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano. Napolitano is quietly making it known that she is considering the race, and there is reason to take her seriously.”

“Still, running for the White House from the cabinet is not an easy thing to do. Not since then-Commerce Secretary Herbert Hoover did it in 1928 has anyone successfully made the leap from the president’s cabinet to the Oval Office.”