Who tops Cruz in early Iowa 2016 poll? -- By Alexis Levinson, The Daily Caller

Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan is the most popular of the would-be 2016 Republican contenders among Iowa Republicans, handily outstripping his potential competition in the state that holds the first nominating contest every four years, according to a new poll.

The Des Moines Register poll, conducted by Selzer & Co. and released Sunday found that a whopping 73 percent of Iowa Republicans hold a favorable opinion of Ryan, the House Budget Committee Chairman and 2012 Republican vice presidential nominee, while just 10 percent have an unfavorable opinion of him. Among tea partiers, he is also far more popular than his competition, with 66 percent saying they view him favorably. 54 percent of born-again Christians like him; only former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee is more popular among that group.

The poll surveyed Iowa adults by phone interview from December 8 through December 11, meaning most of the interviews were completed by the time Ryan announced the budget deal he co-authored with Democratic Senate Budget Committee Chairwoman Patty Murray on Dec. 10. The Des Moines Register reported that several people interviewed after the deal was announced said that while they were not fans of the plan, they still felt Ryan was “a true conservative” and it did not affect their opinion of him.

 Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, on the other hand, sits at the bottom of the pack. Just 46 percent of Iowa Republicans say they have a favorable view of him, compared to 17 percent who hold an unfavorably view. Despite frequent trips to the state in recent months, he is still not well known to many Republicans: 37 percent still say they are unsure of what they think of Cruz.

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