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Study: Rubio, Christie lead the media's 2016 GOP field

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie are leading the 2016 Republican pack of presidential contenders — at least according to the media.

A Smart Politics media analysis by the University of Minnesota’s Eric Ostermeier found that Rubio and Christie were the only two potential candidates named on each of the dozen 2016 presidential power rankings lists studied.

Smart Politics reviewed 2016 lists from The Atlantic, The Blaze, CBS, Cox Media Group, Human Events, International Business Times, National Journal, Policy Mic, Prez16, The Run 2016, U.S. News & World Report and Washington Post's The Fix.

“Of the 23 Republicans named on these various 2016 lists, Florida U.S. Senator Marco Rubio and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie are regarded as the candidates to watch, appearing on all 12 lists,” the report stated.

Rubio also had the highest weighted ranking among the 23 possible contenders, with an average score of 2.4. Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan was second with an average ranking of 2.6.

And Ryan appeared on the lists of 11 outlets, while Jeb Bush made it onto 10 power rankings lists.

“Rounding out the Top 10 most mentioned GOP frontrunners are Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal at nine outlets, Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell and Rand Paul at eight, 2012 presidential candidate Rick Santorum at seven, Indiana Governor Mike Pence at six, and South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley at five,” the report noted.

Smart Politics will publish its survey of the media’s take on the 2016 Democratic field on Tuesday.

Read the full Republican breakdown at Smart Politics.