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Sunday shows preview: 2016 battle lines

by Mark Hensch - 04/18/15 12:18 PM ET

Sunday morning’s news shows will feature a new level of clarity in 2016 battle lines after a week in which key White House candidates entered the fray on each side.

Lawmakers will debate the merits of presidential contenders across all five major news networks. Their words will give voters their first clear picture of the 2016 landscape since Democrat Hillary Clinton and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) officially joined the race last week.

Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) will begin NBC’s 2016 analysis by stopping by “Meet the Press.” The governor, who served as her presidential campaign chair in 2008, will give insight on Clinton’s strategy.

{mosads}Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) will also visit NBC amid speculation he may join the GOP race. Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), a Tea Party favorite who has close ties with Cruz, Paul and Rubio, rounds out the “Meet the Press” lineup.

Rubio, for his part, will give a Sunday show interview on CBS’s “Face the Nation” after declaring his candidacy last Monday.

Former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley (D), meanwhile, will present his case for challenging Clinton’s candidacy as speculation swirls about his possible bid.

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) will speak to “Face the Nation” on Clinton and the fight against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

House Homeland Security Committee Chair Michael McCaul (R-Texas) will continue this theme on ABC’s “This Week” by discussing the threat of domestic terrorism.

Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), meanwhile, will talk Clinton’s campaign thus far with host George Stephanopoulos.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) will address “Fox News Sunday” with his thoughts on the tentative Iran nuclear deal. The appearance offers Graham a chance to flex his foreign policy muscles while he weighs his own 2016 Oval Office bid.

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), meanwhile, will make his case as a possible foil for the Clinton campaign. The Vermont lawmaker will appear on Fox and detail his own potential 2016 aspirations there.

Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) is the final Fox guest. The Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government reform will speak about last week’s gyrocopter incident at the U.S. Capitol and the Drug Enforcement Agency prostitution scandal.

Sens. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) and Ben Cardin (D-Md.) will kick off CNN’s “State of the Union” by explaining their recent victory on the Iran talks. The bipartisan duo will elaborate on their successful effort to gain congressional review of the framework pact last week.

Former Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.) will also make a noteworthy stop by CNN studios. The ex-lawmaker will discuss his opposition to the Clinton campaign and whether or not he will challenge it next election cycle.