Sens. Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz have markedly improved ratings in the
National Journal's "Hotline" rankings of GOP presidential candidates after officially announcing their campaigns this spring, but Sen. Rand Paul's standings dropped slightly.
Rubio, of Florida, is now tied for second place with Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker behind his friend and one-time mentor, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, while Cruz comes in just behind the two, according to the publication's rankings, which were released Friday.
Paul, though, dropped one place in the Hotline rankings after his campaign rollout, after questions arose about his temper.
Paul clashed with popular "Today" show correspondent Savannah Guthrie on the second day of his campaign announcement tour.
For its rankings, National Journal compared the announced and potential GOP candidates' chances of winning the 2016 nomination, comparing their strengths and weaknesses, poll numbers, and determined that Bush remained the "fragile front-runner."
Bush is followed by a virtual tie between Walker and Rubio in second and third place, respectively, followed by Cruz and Paul. Next, moving down the line, are: New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, Ohio Gov. John Kasich, former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina, South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, and Indiana Gov. Mike Pence.
Bush remains at the top of the Hotline list, but while his name is his key money-raising asset, it may be dragging him down as people like Rubio gain power. Bush will most likely have plenty of funds to compete, but there are some in the party who worry that putting him on the ballot against presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton may not give the party the best chance to take the White House next year.
Walker's campaign got a major boost this month through the support — but not yet the endorsement — of the billionaire Koch brothers. However, his potential campaign has suffered by several perceived flip-flops on energy and immigration, National Journal reports.
Rubio, who ranked in third place in the Hotline ratings at the end of February, netted a bounce in polling and media attention after his mid-April campaign launch in Miami and his campaign swing through New Hampshire is highlighting his speaking skills.
Cruz advanced from fifth to fourth place since the last Hotline ratings after his late-March launch gave him a news cycle boost for a week. In addition, his campaign drew in a reported $31 million in his first nine days as an official candidate, pitting him financially with any other Republican candidate.
Paul, of Kentucky, dropped one place from fourth to fifth following an uneven early performance just after his announcement. In addition to the questions about his temperament, he's also getting slammed over his views on national security, which conflict with those of the GOP base.
Christie rose one place in the rankings after focusing his pitch more on entitlement reform, but his favorability ratings with Republicans still remain the worst, and he also lost one of his closest allies, New Jersey state Sen. Joe Kyrillos, to Bush's campaign.
Huckabee also rose one spot, from eighth to seventh place. He hasn't yet officially announced, but he's been setting up a campaign and plans to quit his national radio show on May 1, four days before he is set to announce his 2016 campaign decision. He enjoys a high stature among conservative evangelicals, which could bring him victory in early primary states.
Kasich made a huge leap, from 13th place in February to eighth place in this month's rankings. But by waiting to announce his intentions, he may find it hard to make his place in the crowded field of candidates, the report said.
Perry dropped from sixth place in February to ninth place, as his pending campaign has not gotten much coverage in recent months. In addition, fellow Texan Cruz may be taking money and momentum from Perry's still-unannounced campaign.
Santorum rose to 10th place from 11th, but his biggest headline lately has been that he would not attend a same-sex wedding. Huckabee and Cruz may siphon Santorum's conservative voters away from him as the election nears, the Hotline report said.
Jindal dropped two places, from ninth to 11th, as he still remains unknown to most voters. His popularity is also waning at home while he tries to deal with Louisiana's $1.6 billion budget shortfall, and he does not seem to have a clear base of support, the report said.
Fiorina has gotten attention with her attacks on Clinton, but it's still hard to see her as the nominee, the report said, because she's never held political office and her highly touted HP corporate record is also controversial.
Graham also dropped by one spot, from 12th to 13th on the rankings, and even in his home state, he polls third among Republicans.
Carson stayed at 14th place, and may have trouble running because he does not have the experience of his potential rivals. His tea party message may make him a factor next year, but he won't likely be a favorite, National Journal said.
And Pence is bringing in the rear, dropping five spots from 10th place in the February report following the controversy over his state's religious freedom law.
Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
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