2016 GOP elephant stampede hits the ground early

The Republican presidential race is springing to life. No one is officially a candidate yet, but more than half a dozen big names are starting to get organized.

"We've never seen anything remotely like it," Rick Wilson, a Florida-based Republican consultant said.

It's kind of like NASCAR where everybody's going at the same pace, then one car breaks away and everyone rushes to catch up.

In this case, that lead car is Jeb Bush, reports CBS News Congressional correspondent Nancy Cordes. As soon as the former Florida governor started taking concrete steps toward a run, everyone else stepped on the gas.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie tested out a few campaign themes Tuesday during his State of the State speech, sounding at times like a presidential candidate.

"America's leadership in the world is called into question because of a pattern of indecision and inconsistency," Christie said.

Later in the day, he dropped hints that he is forming a Political Action Committee (PAC) to raise money for a possible White House bid.

The news came as aides to Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker said he had a campaign manager picked out and ready to go. Aides to Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul said the same.

In Florida, Sen. Marco Rubio embarked on a media blitz, promoting his new book -- and his chances, if he runs.

"I'm confident that we can put together a campaign that makes us competitive and allows us to win," Rubio said.

And two-time candidate Mitt Romney went from zero to 60 in the space of a week. Making dozens of calls to former donors and staffers, despite telling CBS News in September, "I'm not running, but I'm going to help someone who is. We don't know who is that yet but we're going to get a good Republican in there."

Christie heads to the early-voting state of South Carolina on Wednesday.

Former New York Gov. George Pataki just wrapped up a two-day, 25-stop tour of New Hampshire.

Paul who will travel to New Hampshire Wednesday had this to say about Romney on Tuesday: "I think he's had his chance, and I think it's time for some fresh blood."

The widening field is testing allegiances -- Jeb Bush was one of Rubio's chief mentors and they both hail from Florida.

Rubio said while it's not harder for him to raise money if Bush decides to run, he has to take a different approach.

"We do share friends, but I also have individuals," Rubio said. "Well, but I also have a lot of donors that are unique to me."

GOP leaders like all the jockeying and have said it's proof the Republican field is deep and energized.

"I admire them all for their ambition. The more the merrier," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said.

The one person who has laid curiously low throughout all this is Hillary Clinton, the presumptive Democratic nominee. CBS News learned Tuesday that presidential adviser John Podesta will leave the White House and join Clinton's campaign in a senior role if she decides to run.