Chris Christie was seen as the 2016 Republican Presidential front runner, but after the bridge scandal he has completely lost ground with the party and the country. The base that Chris Christie attracted to get elected to the New Jersey Governorship, and put him on the map for 2016 is pretty much the same base that would help Peter King and or Rob Portman.
Congressman Peter King has tons of experience. He's been a Congressman since 1993, and was the Chairman of the United States House Committee on Homeland Security. King believes in a strong nation security, which did help Bush win the Presidency in 2000 and in 2004. He is a straight talker Conservative, that attracts the blue collar workers, Reagan Democrats, and Reagan Conservatives. He is without a doubt a force to be reckoned with if he does indeed decide to run for President in 2016.
Rob Portman also has a lot of experience to be President. He was a Congressman from 1993 - 2005, he was the 13th United States Trade Representative under President George W. Bush from 2005 - 2006. Also he was the 35th Director of the Office of Management and Budget under President Bush from 2006 - 2007, and in 2010 he was elected to the US Senate. Rob Portman would also attract the blue collar workers which helped win a land slide victory for the Senate in 2010.
When you run for President you need a base. Without a strong foundation your just going to fall. Blue collar workers are a strong base to have. Their the hard working Americans that keep the economy rolling.