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McCain: I like Christie, Jindal as 2016 presidential candidates

2008 Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., played political prognosticator Monday night revealing which Republicans he'd like to see run for president in 2016.

McCain said on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" that he likes the current crop of Republican governors, specifically naming Govs. Chris Christie, R-N.J., and Bobby Jindal, R-La. Both governors are considered likely candidates and have repeatedly visited Iowa, home of the first-in-the-nation presidential caucuses. 

  
He said the two men could "succeed in states with Republicans and Democrats" and effectively work across the aisle. Voters in New Jersey, a Democratic stronghold, sweepingly re-elected Christie in November, boosting his bipartisan credentials.

The senator also predicted a "spirited" Republican primary that pits isolationist factions of the party against "internationalists" who support more expansive foreign intervention. In recent months, McCain has spoken out against other members of his party like Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, who staunchly opposed intervention in the Syrian civil war. Cruz is also considered a potential 2016 presidential candidate.

Political commentator Meghan McCain, appearing alongside her father on the late-night show, said she likes Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., as a presidential candidate in 2016. She added that Christie was less than thrilled when he found out he was not her top contender.

"We got in a fight and now I don't like him anymore," she said, eliciting a big laugh from the audience.


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