Try as they might, the starry-eyed optimists behind the “Ready for Takano” campaign are not going to goad California Democratic Rep. Mark Takano into hustling to replace his retiring Senate colleague, Barbara Boxer.  

“We are a group of young progressives that aim to draft Congressman Mark Takano to run for US Senate in 2016 or 2018,” the would-be kingmakers stipulate on a homespun Facebook page launched on Jan. 8. One would imagine any sophomore lawmaker would love to be bandied about by adoring fans.  

But staff assured HOH he ain’t taking the bait.  

“We have no connection with the page and Congressman Takano will not be running for Senate,” a Takano aide told HOH.  

Couldn’t help but notice no one said anything about not running for president …  

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