GOP presidential power rankings: Jeb Bush leads the field

2. Marco Rubio

The senator from Florida has the highest upside of anyone on this list. His combination of biography, demographic profile, and rhetorical skill had convinced many Republicans in the wake of his 2010 Senate victory that he was the future of the Republican Party. He still could be. Rubio has assembled a top-notch political team and is planning a major media blitz in mid-January to promote his new book, American Dreams. These would seem to be surefire signs of an imminent presidential campaign. But Rubio’s future suddenly looks uncertain now that Bush has entered the race and is threatening to suck Florida’s donor community dry.

We’re still betting that Rubio will jump in. He’s too talented—and too ambitious—to pass up a race that could define the GOP for a generation. Still, a Rubio run isn’t the sure thing we thought it would be a few months ago. And although we think he’s the candidate with the most potential if he does run, the sudden doubt over whether he will bumps him to No. 2 for now.