We could spend some time handicapping the nominees, an exercise as fun as it is pointless, or we could spend some time figuring out what people's support of various 2016 contenders (and supposed contenders) means now. Here's a rough guide to who's backing whom, how to spot 'em, and why it (kinda) matters.

The Democrats

1. Hillary Clinton, former secretary of state

Betting odds: 7 to 2

Relevant polling: 63% favorability; 85% of Democrats "likely to support" her

Key area of support: Celebrities (Endorsed so far by Warren Buffett, Dustin Hoffman, Claire McCaskill)

Pop culture equivalent: Rooting for Duke Rallying cry: "It's her turn (again)!" What they're worried about: Bill saying something stupid, the sexist media bias Who they'll move on to: What makes you think they'll move on? Main complaint about Obama: He is not Hillary Get on their good side: "The basketball, the bragging – the White House is really just a boys club, isn't it?"

Don't ask: "Wasn't she just as heavily favored eight years ago?"

2. Vice-President Joe Biden

Betting odds: 16 to 1

Relevant polling: 26% support among likely Democratic voters; loses 43-46% to Chris Christie in hypothetical match-up – wins against Paul Ryan and Marco Rubio

Key area of support: Joe Biden Pop culture equivalent: Holding season tickets for the Chicago Cubs

Rallying cry: "I'm Joe Biden!"

What they're worried about: Open mics Who they'll move on to: Hillary Main complaint about Obama: Not enough hugs Get on the their good side: "Your hair looks great!" Don't ask: "So, seen Hillary lately?"

3. Governor Andrew Cuomo (NY)

Betting odds: 12 to 1

Relevant polling: 22% favorability nationwide, 42% "not sure"; comes in fifth – behind Elizabeth Warren and "someone else" in lineup of likely contenders

Key area of support: People who have heard of him Pop culture equivalent: Gawker commenters Rallying cry: "Occupy Wall Street! But not so much that people will get mad." What they're worried about: Kwanzaa cake

Who they'll move on to: Hillary Main complaint about Obama: Only liked gay marriage after it became cool Don't ask: "Spell that again for me?" Get on their good side: "He's been so ahead of the curve."

4. Governor Martin O'Malley (MD)

Betting odds: 12 to 1

Relevant polling: 79% "not sure" of him, nationwide; 62% of Maryland voters say he "would not" make a good president

Key area of support: People who have heard of Cuomo but want someone blander Pop culture equivalent: Ice water Rallying cry: "The Howard Dean of 2016!"

What they're worried about: Being confused with that guy from that thing. You know, the movie. Give me a minute… Who they'll move on to: Hillary Main complaint about Obama: Stands out in a crowd Don't ask: "A liberal Democrat from the east coast attracts swing voters how?" Get on their good side: "I'm sure the next election will be decided on social issues."

The Republicans

1. Senator Marco Rubio (FL)

Betting odds: 6 to 1

Relevant polling: 19% support among Republican and Republican-leaning registered voters; 31% favorability rating nationwide, and 36% "never heard of" him; loses Hispanic support to Clinton 24% to 60%

Key area of support:He is, sort of, not entirely a hardline conservative, and yet Rush Limbaugh does not hate him

Pop culture equivalent: The Friends spin-off that excited you Rallying cry: "A thirst for victory!" What they're worried about: Dry mouth, immigration reform implosion Who they'll move on to: The eventual nominee Main complaint about Obama: "Poor word choice."

Get on their good side: "He's an American success story!" Don't ask: "Can you tell me more about his legislative successes? Stuff that got a vote at least? Besides the bill honoring Vaclav Havel, I mean."

2. Governor Chris Christie (NJ)



Betting odds: 10 to 1

Relevant polling: 34% favorability nationwide, 25% "never heard of" him; 42% Republican and Republican-leaning voters "would like to see Chris Christie run"; beats Biden in head to head match-up 46-43%

Key area of support: The media Pop culture equivalent: Your favorite Springsteen album being "Born in the USA" Rallying cry: "Wouldn't it be cool if people liked Republicans again?" What they're worried about: Annual physical, finding out he's not really a moderate Who they'll move on to: The Democratic nominee Main complaint about Obama: Not enough of a bully

Don't ask: "How's the diet coming?" Get on their good side: "It all comes down to who you really want to have a beer with, am I right?"

3. Former Governor Jeb Bush (FL)



Betting odds: 9 to 1

Relevant polling: 29% unfavorable to 25% favorable nation wide, with 45% who "haven't heard enough"; 10% support for 2016 – fifth in the field of likely nominees

Key area of support: People named Bush Pop culture equivalent: Coke Zero Rallying cry: "He's not the one you're thinking of!" What they're worried about: People who aren't named Bush Who they'll move on to: Rubio Main complaint about Obama: All of the Bush foreign policy, none of the Bush unpopularity Don't ask: "His immigration policy is … what, again?"

Get on their good side: "I understand that he speaks Spanish fluently."

Senator Rand Paul (KY)

Rand Paul. Photograph: Ed Reinke/AP



Betting odds:20 to 1

Relevant polling: Moved from 6th to 2nd place among Republican contenders between February and April, now has 17% support; 60% favorability among Republicans

Key area of support: Libertarians willing to compromise on some social issues, libertarians who can't spell Pop culture equivalent: YOLO! Rallying cry: "If you squint and look sideway, he's sort of like his dad." What they're worried about: Consistency

Who they'll move on to: Writing in Ron Paul Main complaint about Obama: "Don't drone me, bro!" Don't ask: "'Conservative libertarian'? Tell me more about the libertarian part. What's his position on [choose one] abortion, legalizing drugs, or gay marriage."

Get on their good side: "He totally rules Twitter."