MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The latest polling from CNN could dramatically alter the vice-presidential search currently being conducted by the Mitt Romney campaign; and it could give credence to why Florida Senator Marco Rubio isn’t considering the vice-presidency at this point.

According to the poll, the number one choice voters picked for Romney’s running mate is former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice. She garnered 26 percent support in the new CNN/Opinion Research poll released Wednesday evening.

Former Romney rival Rick Santorum came in second in the poll with 21 percent. Senator Rubio and New Jersey governor Chris Christie were tied for third place in the CNN poll. They were followed by Rep. Paul Ryan, Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal, and Virginia governor Bob McDonnell.

When it came to favorable/unfavorable ratings of the potential candidates, Rice stood head and shoulders above the men. She had an 80 percent favorability rating, followed by Christie’s 55 percent favorability.

Rubio’s favorability was below 50 percent, but 36 percent said of those polled said they had never heard of Florida’s junior senator, who is a rising star in the GOP. But, while the tea party continues to push Rubio hard, the majority of Republicans have never heard of him.

Congressman Paul Ryan and Bobby Jindal also had favorability ratings below 50 percent, but both also had high numbers of people who have never heard of them.