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Libertarian-minded Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul is edging up in what looks like a wide-open contest for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination.

A second national poll of the past three weeks puts Paul narrowly ahead, with scandal-plagued New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie fading.The same poll, by CNN/Opinion Research International, puts Hillary Clinton far ahead among Democrats and gives her positive numbers on strong leadership and potential to manage a crisis.

CNN/ORC put Rand Paul at 16 percent, a number higher than his father, former Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, reached in his 2012 bid for the GOP nomination.Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wisconsin, 12 GOP vice presidential nominee, is a tick behind at 15 percent.

Hillary Clinton: She dominates 2016 Democratic field.

Gov. Rick Perry, R-Texas, who stumbled over his own tongue in the 2012 race, runs third at 11 percent.Perry was a hit at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Washington, D.C., earlier this month.

CPAC is an annual cattle call for Republicans with hopes or dreams of the White House.Rand Paul was a runaway winner in its straw poll of GOP hopefuls.

According to CNN/ORC, ex-Secretary of State Clinton is the choice of 63 percent of Democratic voters, far ahead of Vice President Joe Biden at 13 percent.

She scores higher than President Obama on certain traits desired of a president. A total of 64 percent agreed that Clinton was tough enough to lead in a crisis, versus 53 percent for Obama. An equal 64 percent agreed that she would be a strong leader.Just 50 percent said the same of Obama.

The CNN/ORC poll was conducted March 7-9, and involved interviews with 367 Republican voters and 372 Democratic voters.

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Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul emerges in GOP presidential field