While Democrats are betting for a strong candidate in the 2016 presidential race - due mostly to hopes former First Lady and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will throw her hat in the ring - the Republican field remains wide open.

Recent polling by Pew Research shows three of the most-talked about possible Republican presidential candidates all have favorability ratings of more than 50 percent among GOP voters or independents who lean towards the GOP.

Leading the pack is Wisconsin's Rep. Paul Ryan with a 65 percent favorability rating. Behind him is Kentucky Senator Rand Paul at 55 percent and Florida Senator Marco Rubio with 50 percent.

They are followed by New Jersey's Gov. Chris Christie at 47 percent. Others included in the list are House Speaker John Boehner (44 percent), Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (36 percent) and Texas Senator Ted Cruz (33 percent).

While the Republican field is open, the top two Democratic names command overwhelming support from their party. Clinton received a 88 percent favorable rating among Democrats and independents who tend to vote for the Democrats. Vice President Joe Biden received a 72 percent favorable rating.

The divide among the parties favors Democrats, Pew researchers said, but it's far from a sure thing for Clinton or Biden, partly due to President's Barack Obama's dwindling approval ratings.

"A major decline in approval of Obama's leadership over the course of the next three years is a clear Achilles heel," Pew researchers said. "Deep discontent with the president would likely lead voters to look for change. With decades of experience and close ties to the administration, neither Clinton nor Biden would fit the bill of a breath of fresh air."

What do you think? Who do you think is the strongest Republican candidate? Would they be able to beat a Clinton or Biden ticket?

(Corrected 8/18 at 10:39 a.m to correct headline)