NH poll: Rand Paul, Chris Christie lead 2016 GOP field with 16% each -- if Romney doesn't run

While Paul may be considered controversial among Republicans in Washington because of his ties to the party’s Tea Party wing, New Hampshire Republicans don’t see him that way. His favorable rating is the best of the potential 2016 Republican field, with 65 percent of likely primary voters viewing him positively and just 19 percent negatively. That’s on par with the state’s Republican senator, Kelly Ayotte.

That appeal isn’t lost on the competition. “I would think that Rand Paul would have significant appeal in New Hampshire because there is a very strong libertarian streak in our state,” said Terry Shumaker, a Democratic activist in Manchester. 

By comparison, Christie is viewed favorably by just 50 percent of likely Republican primary voters, while a third view him unfavorably. The governor’s unfavorable rating was the highest of any of the 10 potential Republican candidates tested in the poll.