Jeb Bush leads 2016 GOP presidential poll, but what about Romney?

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Jeb Bush takes lead in 2016 GOP presidential poll

Was Romney's exclusion a factor?

This is a rush transcript from "Your World," December 29, 2014. This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated.

NEIL CAVUTO, HOST: Well, Jeb Bush jumping into a new poll of possible 2016 GOP contenders. Even I went back on that one.

But if you take a close look at this list, guess who wasn't on it?

Well, it got the attention of one James Evans. James is behind something called The Draft Romney Movement, and says that poll would look a lot different if Mitt Romney were on it.

He wasn't on it. What is interesting, the last time he was, he swamped Jeb Bush. Do you know why he wasn't included in the list?

JAMES EVANS, UTAH REPUBLICAN PARTY CHAIRMAN: Well, I would think he wasn't included so it can be a great story for CNN.

(LAUGHTER)

CAVUTO: Well, I don't know about that.

But I don't know what the criteria is, maybe they were saying, well, Mitt Romney has said he won't run. But none of the other guys have formally jumped in the race. And so that criteria seems wanting.

But where would the advantage be for Jeb Bush if one of the biggest vote- getters isn't even included?

EVANS: Well, I don't think that the poll is really relevant without Mitt Romney being included, because, frankly, he is still, in the minds of most Republican voters, and whether he gets in the race or not is still to be determined.

So if you're going to do a poll and have it one that is relevant, you have to include Mitt Romney.

CAVUTO: I'm beginning to think there's a strategy, although, that if you're a money-raiser for Republicans, and you want to channel a lot of the now Jeb Bush, you certainly don't risk getting it divided with someone like Mitt Romney, who still leads in polls in New Hampshire and Iowa among Republicans, depending on the day and the week, but not by a little bit, by a lot.

So do you know whether this is annoying a lot of Mitt Romney's lieutenants and people who were with him in the last campaign?

EVANS: Well, can't speak to that. And I think the last time I was on, I made it clear that I'm not a part of the Romney circle.

I am the chair of the Utah Republican Party. So I hear bits and pieces here and there. But, you know, I wouldn't speak on behalf or -- I don't want anyone to even think that I can speak for the Romney camp. But I would think...

(CROSSTALK)

CAVUTO: Well, there's no logic -- see, I don't want to put words in your mouth, but there's no logic to not including Mitt Romney...

EVANS: Absolutely.

CAVUTO: ... because unless all of these other guys they did include have announced, no one has announced. So you just go by name recognition, and it might be a big factor for Jeb Bush. Name recognition for Mitt Romney would presumably be a big factor for Mitt Romney.

But to not include him, it just seems like a glaring omission.

EVANS: Well, that's what I'm saying.

So, I kind of like your take on it, which is perhaps this was a fund- raising effort, because if you really want to have a serious poll, let's put them all in there. And I think you will see that Mitt Romney will once will come out on top.

CAVUTO: Yes.

It's just glaring by its omission. That's all I'm saying. There isn't sides here, but if you're going to throw them all in there, a dozen potential candidates, maybe more, right, throw them all in there, mix it up in pot and see what you get. But that is pretty half-assed to me.

All right, very good seeing you again, my friend, James Evans, the draft Mitt founder.

We just want you to be aware of these polls and what is left out, because everyone is seizing on this, and they're not quite aware of who is in and who is out and a big name that was left out.

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