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Rupert Murdoch weighs in on 2016, calls Romney 'a terrible candidate'

Rupert Murdoch weighed in on the 2016 presidential race during a public appearance at the Manhattan Institute on Wednesday, praising Jeb Bush and writing off Mitt Romney as "a terrible candidate."

In a conversation with Fox News analyst Judith Miller, a senior fellow at the institute, the News Corp./21st Century Fox chairman talked extensively about the prospective Republican field. Excerpts were relayed to us by our colleague Maggie Haberman.

Asked if he had a favorite candidate yet, Murdoch replied, "No." But he did say, "I like Jeb Bush very much."

(Also on POLITICO: Chris Christie, odd man out?)

Murdoch also expressed admiration for Rand Paul: "I personally like Rand Paul very much, and I am very impressed by his brain," he said. Though he was skeptical about Paul's foreign policy platform, "which is frankly a major issue," he commended the Kentucky senator for "campaigning on the theory that Washington is too big."

"I think he will do well enough to move the debate," Murdoch said. He added, "I don't think he will win. ... I would be very surprised if he won the nomination."

Murdoch was less kind toward Mitt Romney, who is considering a third bid for the Republican nomination after failed attempts in 2008 and 2012.

"I rather agree with the [Wall Street] Journal this morning, which sort of lacerated Romney," Murdoch said in reference to an editorial in the paper, which he owns. "He had his chance, he mishandled it, you know? I thought Romney was a terrible candidate."

(Also on POLITICO: Mitt Romney backlash intensifies)

Murdoch also hit Romney for winning the nomination "by destroying every other Republican with his own money" and for failing to deflect criticism that he was "super rich."

On Chris Christie: "I wouldn't write off Chris Christie at all. ... We will just see how he handles himself."

On Scott Walker: "He will be an interesting candidate," though Murdoch questioned his charisma.

On Paul Ryan, who has said he will not run: "He's only 44 ... [he has] plenty of time."

(Also on POLITICO: Walker on Romney: Voters want 'something new')

And finally, Ted Cruz: "I've met [him], quite an experience," Murdoch said to laughter. "He's smart. ... [but there's] a record of very questionable political judgment, so we will see."

Overall, Murdoch said, "it will be a big and lively field."

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