Scott Walker, Jeb Bush top potential 2016 GOP field in new poll

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush are running first and second in a new poll on the 2016 GOP presidential field, putting a bit of distance between themselves and other possible contenders.

Mr. Walker tops the list of potential candidates at 18 percent, followed by Mr. Bush at 16 percent; the two are the only ones to reach double digits in the Quinnipiac poll.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee were at 8 percent each, retired surgeon Ben Carson was at 7 percent, Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky and Ted Cruz of Texas were tied at 6 percent apiece, and Sen. Marco Rubio was at 5 percent.

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and former Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania were at 2 percent apiece, and Texas Gov. Rick Perry, Ohio Gov. John Kasich, and Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina were at 1 percent apiece. Another 17 percent were undecided.

Mr. Bush and Mr. Christie, who some conservatives have viewed with a skeptical eye, were actually tied at 16 percent to “lead” among the contenders when people were asked if there were any of the candidates they would definitely not support for the Republican presidential nomination.

Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton continues to be the overwhelming favorite on the Democratic side, taking 56 percent of the vote. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts was next at 14 percent.

Mrs. Clinton tops some of the potential Republican contenders in a would-be general election match-up:

• 45-42 percent over Mr. Bush;

• 46-39 percent over Mr. Christie;

• 47-41 percent over Mr. Paul;

• 47-40 percent over Mr. Huckabee;

• 46-41 percent over Mr. Rubio;

• 48-39 percent over Mr. Walker;

• 48-38 percent over Mr. Cruz.

Forty-eight percent have a favorable view of Mrs. Clinton and 45 percent have a negative one. On the Republican side, favorability ratings are:

• Negative 32-39 percent for Mr. Christie;

• Negative 34-40 percent for Mr. Bush;

• 34-32 percent for Mr. Huckabee;

• 31-31 percent for Mr. Paul;

• 30-22 percent for Mr. Rubio; 48 percent don’t know enough about him to form an opinion;

• 23-24 percent for Mr. Walker; 52 percent don’t know enough;

• Negative 23-29 percent for Mr. Cruz; 46 percent don’t know enough.

The survey of 1,286 registered voters was taken from Feb. 26 to March 2 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.7 percentage points. The sample of 554 Republicans has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.2 percentage points, and the sample of 493 Democrats has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.4 percentage points.