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2014 is barely in the books and already we have polling for the 2016 election season. Host Donna Martinez talks with Tom Jensen of Public Policy Polling about new poll results that show Sen. Richard Burr leading three theoretical Democratic opponents, and Gov. Pat McCrory holding a commanding 7-point lead over potential Democratic challenger Roy Cooper. Jensen also offers perspective on Republican and Democratic prospects for the 2016 cycle, predicting it will be a good year for the GOP. Then Martinez talks with a veteran of White House politics about what lies ahead for Sen. Elect Thom Tillis.  Bush administration political consultant Jonathan Felts discusses the dynamics of a new GOP majority and the national media profile that Tillis is already enjoying. That’s followed by a look at the rising influence and power of North Carolina’s congressional delegation. Carolina Journal Managing Editor Rick Henderson talks with Martinez about the “whip” role to be taken by 10th District Congressman Patrick McHenry, the respect earned by Rep. Renee Ellmers with House leadership, the new chairmanship of the Congressional Black Caucus for Rep. G.K. Butterfield, and the high media profile of 11th District Congressman Mark Meadows