Is Rubio The Frontrunner? Ctd  Feb 12 2013 @ 7:19pm  Enten
doubted it. Larison’s perspective:  It’s true that most
Republicans will be even more willing to tolerate a relative
moderate candidate in the 2016 cycle than they were this time,
but being perceived as the relative moderate often depends on
the other candidates in the field. On paper, McCain wasn’t that
much of a moderate compared to his rivals, but he was perceived
that way and encouraged people to think of him as such. If Jeb
Bush chooses not to run, Rubio would be his obvious replacement
and would likely reap the benefits of Bush’s connections. None
of that means that Rubio will be the next nominee or even that
he should be considered the favorite at this point, but there
are fewer obstacles between him and the nomination than Enten
thinks.