More than former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush or New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio is the future of the GOP.

The Democratic-leaning Public Policy Polling is looking at a 2016 world where President Obama has remained in the White House for the next four years.

And the robo-poller says that after Rubio's prime-time speaking performance at the Tampa convention last week, Florida Republicans give him the edge in four years.

Rubio was the choice of 24 percent of the GOPers polled in the Sunshine State, edging out Bush who received 22 percent.

Others getting backing were former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at 12 percent, Christie, former Arkansas governor and current Florida resident Mike Huckabee, and GOP vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan, R-Wis., all at 10 percent. U.S. Rep. Rand Paul, R-Ky., received 4 percent. Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin got 3 percent and former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, 1 percent.

“One thing that's clear is there will be a lot of potential candidates who GOP voters love in 2016 if Romney falters,” PPP stated.

Rice, Bush, Rubio and Ryan all scored a favorability rating above 80 percent, with Rice -- who has indicated no desire to run for high office -- hitting the 90 percent mark.

It’s a different story on the Democratic side. Only Secretary of State Hillary Clinton scored a favorability rating topping 80 percent.  

In fact, Vice President Joe Biden was the only other Democrat to test with more than 50 percent name recognition, according to PPP.

It will remain to be seen how close the public is watching as the Democrats parade out their long-term hopefuls this week in Charlotte, N.C.



Reach Jim Turner at jturner@sunshinestatenews.com or at (772) 215-9889.