Rubio, the Florida senator, has been likened to Obama because of his speaking skills and compelling personal narrative. And like Obama, Rubio made the leap from a state legislature to the Senate, where he hasn’t yet completed his first term. According to 61 percent of all Republicans surveyed — and 63 percent of Democrats — the experience question will be problem. It’s a slightly bigger challenge among Iowa Republicans: 63 percent of those surveyed say it will be an issue, while 57 percent of New Hampshire Republicans said the same.

“He’ll have to offer more than one really great speech, because voters are looking for more than inspiration,” an Iowa Republican said. “We’ve had plenty of that with Obama. Voters are looking for accomplishment and experience as well.”

A New Hampshire Republican, who like all participants was granted anonymity in order to speak freely, added, “Every election selects the candidate that corrects the perceived deficiencies of the current occupant of the White House. After 7 years of an eloquent, one term senator — the GOP is going to look for something different.”