Poll: Paul equal to Romney, Bush against Clinton in '16

WASHINGTON - A new poll provides fresh evidence that Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul has positioned himself as a credible 2016 Republican presidential candidate.

An ABC News/Washington Post Poll finds that the freshman senator does as well against Democrat Hillary Clinton as 2012 GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush - although the survey also shows that none of the Republicans would defeat her if the election were held today.

Clinton would beat Bush by a 51 percent to 41 percent margin among registered voters, according to the survey. The former secretary of state would also best Romney, 55 percent to 40 percent.

The poll also shows that Clinton holds a 51 percent to 41 percent lead over Paul - the same margin as for Bush.

In a head-to-head between Clinton and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, the Democrat is out in front 53 percent to 40 percent, according to the poll. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee would do worse, trailing Clinton 56 percent to 39 percent.

None of those measured in the poll has yet announced whether he or she will seek the White House. Paul has said he will make a decision "some time this spring."

Romney and Bush lunched together privately Thursday in Salt Lake City for what was later described as a "gentlemanly conversation."

Paul engaged in some pointed ribbing of the pair over Twitter, at one point joking that Bush had given Romney a charm engraved with "3X," for "three times a charm."

Paul and three other potential 2016 candidates - Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker - are scheduled to appear this weekend before conservative donors at a Palm Springs, Calif., gathering organized by mega-givers Charles and David Koch.

Paul has been traveling extensively - including to the early caucus and primary states of Iowa and New Hampshire, respectively - and building a national political campaign staff.

The Iowa caucuses are tentatively set for Feb. 1, 2016. New Hampshire's primary is Feb. 9, 2016.