GOP 2016 primary: Rand Paul vs. Jeb Bush?

With many Chris Christie supporters cooling after the “bridgegate” scandal erupted and continues pouring out tidbits of information, some in the establishment have begun looking elsewhere on the GOP bench. Enter the possibility of renewed hope in Jeb Bush launching a campaign.

Report from CBS News:

From a list of five high profile Republican Party leaders, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul capture the most interest among self-identified Republicans; 41 percent of Republicans say they would like to see Bush run (27 percent say no to a Bush bid) while 39 percent say yes to a Paul candidacy (21 percent say no).

Republicans are less enthusiastic about New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie: more say they would not like him to run for president (41 percent) than say they would (31 percent). More Republicans would like to see Sens. Marco Rubio (32 percent yes, 14 percent no) and Ted Cruz (24 percent yes, 15 percent no) run for president than not, but most don’t know enough about these two politicians to say.

Rand Paul’s status continues rising slowly but surely, I’m prone to wonder if he might peak too soon before the 2016 process officially begins. On the other hand, he continues trying to build solid support on which to launch a campaign. Jeb Bush would have a good level of support no matter when he decides to declare. That is, if he even decides in favor of a run. The latest rumblings indicate Bush is leaning toward not running in 2016.