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Poll: Rubio and Clinton top 2016 contenders in Iowa, nationally
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) are the front-runners for their parties' nominations both nationally and in the crucial early-voting state of Iowa, according to a survey released Thursday.
In the poll, from Public Policy Polling, 22 percent of Republicans chose Rubio in a hypothetical primary and 15 percent picked Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.). Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie each took 13 percent support, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee got 11 percent and Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) received 10 percent.
Huckabee, an evangelical Christian, ranks better among the heavily religious Iowa electorate, tying Rubio at 16 percent each in that state. Paul would have 15 percent of the vote if the caucus were held today, while Bush would garner 14 percent, Christie would take 12 percent, and Ryan would earn 1 out of every 10 voters.
Clinton polls even better in Iowa, where 68 percent of primary voters say she would be their choice. Biden earns 21 percent, and no other candidate got above 2 percent. Nine out of 10 Iowa Democrats view her favorably.
Clinton would also have the early lead in a hypothetical showdown with Rubio, leading the Florida Republican by 8 points nationally. But other Republicans poll better against Clinton: She leads Ryan and Bush by 6 points, and Christie by 4 points. Biden would lead Rubio by 5 points, Ryan by 4, Bush by 3 and tie with Christie.
Both Clinton and Rubio have been evasive on the topic of a presidential run.
"I really believe that if I do the best job I can in the Senate, then in a couple of years I'll be in a position to make a decision about whether I want to run for reelection, leave politics and give someone else a shot, or run for some other position," Rubio said at a BuzzFeed forum on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, it was announced Rubio would give the rebuttal to President Obama's State of the Union address, offering a national platform to the freshman lawmaker.
Clinton, who left the Obama administration late last month, has said she plans to enjoy retirement, but she is already fueling speculation about a reentry into politics with a new website.
Clinton told CNN last month she had "absolutely no plans to run" but then emphasized she felt healthy enough for any challenge.
"I am lucky because I've been very healthy. I feel great," Clinton said. "I've got enormous amounts of energy that have to be harnessed and focused, so I'm very fortunate. I'm looking forward to this next chapter in my life, whatever it is."
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