When it comes to 2016, Florida's likely voters are not yet warming-up to the field of possible candidates for president.

The exclusive Florida Decides Statewide Poll took the temperature of voters and how they feel about a select set of Republican and Democratic candidates. The favorability ratings were based on a scale of 0 to 100.

Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush and Florida U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio led the Republican field with favorability ratings of 48 and 45, respectively.

“I thought he did a great job for Florida back in the 2004 hurricanes,” said Mike Carlock, referring to Jeb Bush.

JJ Soto chimed in about Rubio, "Maybe it’s time for a Hispanic to up into the running. Never know.”

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie followed with a rating of 39. And coming in last with a rating of 38 was junior U.S. Senator Rand Paul.

"I don't think the approval rating for any of them is really that great," said Alex Young of Orlando.

On the Democratic side, former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had a more favorable rating to Vice President Joe Biden, 43 to 33.

“I think it’s about time for a woman in the White House, personally I’m ready to see it and I think there’s a lot of change we could do,” said Heather Buell of Orlando.

“She has a lot of respect in Britain as well. I think she’d be great really to become the new President,” added Chiron Hooson, a British citizen vacationing in Central Florida.

While these potential candidates may potentially run for the White House, there are some other potential contenders not featured in our poll.

Two weeks ago former GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney reunited publicly for the first time with his 2012 vice presidential running mate, Paul Ryan (R-Wis).

Romney interviewed Ryan on stage in Chicago regarding Ryan's new book.

Reports indicate the Wisconsin congressman is considering a presidential run of his own and a week later, while continuing his book tour in Brandon, Ryan made several comments to the press saying he doesn't see Hillary Clinton as a threat to the Republican ticket. He supports Rick Scott, but wouldn’t comment on Charlie Crist’s departure from the GOP.

“Let’s just say I’m a Rick Scott guy,” he said.

Paul Ryan wouldn’t  confirm if he’s running for president in 2016, saying it was a family decision and they would make that decision next year.

Florida Decides Poll

REPUBLICANS

As a possible 2016 presidential contender, how would you rate Jeb Bush's favorability on a scale from 0-100?

As a possible 2016 presidential contender, how would you rate Marco Rubio's favorability on a scale from 0-100?


As a possible 2016 presidential contender, how would you rate Rand Paul's favorability on a scale from 0-100?


As a possible 2016 presidential contender, how would you rate Chris Christie's favorability on a scale from 0-100?

DEMOCRATS

As a possible 2016 presidential contender, how would you rate Hillary Clinton's favorability on a scale from 0-100?


As a possible 2016 presidential contender, how would you rate Joe Biden's favorability on a scale from 0-100?


 

The telephone survey of 814 registered Florida voters -- all likely to vote in the November election -- was conducted Aug. 27-31 for the Tampa Bay Times, Bay News 9 and News 13 by the University of Florida’s Bob Graham Center for Public Service and Bureau of Economic and Business Research. The poll, which included respondents using land-lines and cell phones, has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.4 percentage points. Results were weighted by age, party identification and media market, thus allowing the results to mirror the distribution of age groups, party identification and media market in the Florida Voter File.