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Poll: Romney leader of the large Republican 2016 pack

On the Democratic side, Hillary Clinton remains the woman to beat in the contest for the presidential nomination in 2016.

By Frances Burns
Mitt Romney, who has said he has no plans to run for president again, leads the field of potential Republican candidates for 2016 in a new poll. UPI/Kevin Dietsch
Mitt Romney, who has said he has no plans to run for president again, leads the field of potential Republican candidates for 2016 in a new poll. UPI/Kevin Dietsch | License Photo

WASHINGTON, Oct. 20 (UPI) -- Mitt Romney, who has said he has no plans to run for president again, leads the field of potential Republican candidates for 2016 in a new poll.

The Washington Post/ABC News poll of Republicans and Republican leaners gave the one-term Massachusetts governor 21 percent of the vote. The runner-up was former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, with 11 percent.

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The list then dropped into single digits with Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee tied at 9 percent, and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Texas Gov. Rick Perry and Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida at 6. Another seven possible candidates got between 1 and 5 percent.

Asked who they would choose if Romney was out of the race, 15 percent picked Bush, followed by 12 percent for Paul and 11 percent for Huckabee.

On the Democratic side, Hillary Clinton remains the woman to beat with 64 percent support. Vice President Joe Biden was the choice of 13 percent and Sen. Elizabeth Warren of 11 percent.

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Former Sen. Jim Webb of Virginia, Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who is actually an independent, rounded out the field with 3 percent, 1 percent and 1 percent.

Clinton did best with women, respondents 50 or older and those who identify as Democrats rather than Democratic-leaning independents.

The telephone poll was conducted between Oct. 9 and Oct. 12. The poll surveyed 1,006 adults, including 871 registered voters. The margin of error for the smaller group is 4 percentage points.

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