Marco Rubio's 2016 Chances Drop in Larry Sabato's Rankings

National pundit Larry Sabato is decreasing U.S. Sen. Marco Rubios, R-Fla., chances for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016 in his latest Crystal Ball rankings. Sabato believes Rubios chances are not as good as those of Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey, U.S.Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker.

Weve moved Senator Marco Rubio down the list, Sabato wrote. His prominent role in the Senates immigration debate has done him some damage in early polling: Theres evidence that he has recently slipped in Iowa and New Hampshire, and that his national star has faded at least slightly among Republicans. This all could be some early, meaningless noise, but if one has to rank the GOP presidential contenders, he just doesnt belong above Walker, Christie or Paul at this point. Bob Vander Plaats, an evangelical leader in Iowa, said that some Iowans hes talked to believe 2020 might be a better opportunity for Rubio than 2016. Easy now -- theres many months to go before even 2016 comes into focus.