(CNN)The 2016 presidential race isn't an abstract parlor game anymore.

With a seven-paragraph Facebook post on Tuesday, Jeb Bush instantly transformed the nascent campaign. His decision to "actively explore" a presidential bid accelerates the scramble for donors. It also gives the former Florida governor time to figure out how to overcome suspicion in the Republican base while positioning himself as the establishment candidate in a fragmented field.

The pre-holiday timing of the announcement was a big surprise to many beyond Bush's tight inner circle. Most of the political spotlight has been on Hillary Clinton this year, leaving GOP donors to sit back, hedge their bets and watch the field develop.

But Bush's decision to make a move now -- 13 months ahead of the Iowa caucus -- speaks to the complicated political decisions facing potential 2016 GOP candidates. They can maintain the coy stance of insisting they haven't made a decision on running, wait out the calendar and hopefully avoid a long, bruising primary like the one that left Mitt Romney damaged in 2012. Or they can start the work now to capture the staff and donors that can take on the Clinton machine.

Bush chose option B.

After all, many GOP donors and operatives, who have serious doubts about much of the field but remain uneasy about the prospect of a bruising primary, have been waiting for a clear signal from either Bush or Romney, who is being pressured by many of his longtime supporters to make a third presidential run.

Answer this series of questions:

1. Which candidate has had the overwhelming amount of attention this year?
2. Who has announced they will run for president?
3. How did he do so?
4. How long before the Iowa Caucus did he do it?
5. What type of candidate is he looking to present himself as?
6. What obstacle does he need to overcome?
7. Why would candidates want to delay announcing their run?
8. Why would they choose instead to start campaigning early?
9. What did Bush choose?
10. What year is this article about?
11. Who is being pushed to run for president again?
12. What surprised people about Bush's announcement?
13. What news agency is reporting this?
14. Who has hesitations about the GOP candidates?
15. On what day did Bush make his announcement?
16. What state was he an official in previously?
17. And what was his position?
18. Who have donors and operatives been waiting for a signal from?

Numbered answers:
1. Hillary Clinton
2. Jeb Bush
3. With a seven-paragraph Facebook post.
4. 13 months
5. the establishment candidate
6. suspicion.
7. To avoid a long, bruising primary
8. It left Mitt Romney damaged.
9. To start the work now.
10. The 2016 presidential race.
11. Romney
12. The pre-holiday timing of the announcement.
13. CNN
14. GOP donors
15. Tuesday
16. Florida
17. Governor
18. Bush or Romney.