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Republican Presidential Contenders Seek Traction In New Hampshire

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) - A handful of Republicans didn't wait for a two-day GOP Leadership Summit to begin to seek traction in New Hampshire.

Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush attended an event called "Politics and Pie." Bush, who has been on a Paleo Diet to lose weight, was seen eating a slice of blueberry pie. He acknowledged if he does decide to formally run he'll have to prove he's not just trying to put another Bush in the White House.

"First and foremost, I have to show my heart," Bush said. "Secondly, I have to show I have ideas that make it possible for America to rise up again, and third, I have to show I have the leadership skills not just to yap about it but to do it. And if I do that, then the Bush dynasty thing and the Clinton-Bush deal: all that stuff subsides."

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Former Texas Governor Rick Perry took part in a roundtable discussion before speaking at a youth town hall meeting.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie also spent time in New Hampshire this week.

The one thing all three have in common is that they have not announced formal plans to run. The three Republicans who have announced, Ted Cruz, Rand Paul and Marco Rubio, are expected to join them at the leadership summit.

Rubio's announcement at the Freedom Tower Monday is apparently boosting his popularity in the Sunshine State. According to the latest Mason-Dixon Poll of likely Republican voters, Rubio leads Bush 31 to 30 percent.

Rubio's campaign tweeted pictures of the candidate in the Granite State, including one with CBS News Face the Nation Host Bob Schieffer.

Democrat Hillary Clinton, who spent time in Iowa this week, is expected to campaign in New Hampshire on Monday and Tuesday of next week.

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