Donald Trump leads the Republican presidential poll and this time he is alone at the top and his rivals are far behind.
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The results reinforce the findings of an earlier poll conducted by the Democratic-leaning Public Policy Polling, which last week found Christie at 10 percent and called him “the clear momentum candidate”. The difference between the two seems to stem primarily from sampling.
CNN, which is hosting the debate, said only those getting at least 3.5 percent support nationwide, or 4 percent in either Iowa or New Hampshire, can participate.
Since late October, Cruz gained 14 points, the poll said, while Carson dropped 19.
The South Carolina primary is considered key in the Republican nomination process because it is the nation’s first Southern primary, and the first where presidential candidates will be vetted by a variety of conservative voters. Ted Cruz in the most recent Monmouth University survey of Iowa Republicans 24%-19%, but a CNN/ORC poll released the same day found Trump still dominating the field with 33% support.
Trump’s lead in the Palmetto State is pretty much across-the-board, said Scott Huffmon, director of the Winthrop Poll. “Until we are able to determine and understand this problem and the risky threat it poses, our country can not be the victims of horrendous attacks by people that believe only in Jihad, and have no sense of reason or respect for human life”, Trump said. With 27 percent, Latinos had either a “very” or “somewhat” positive view of Rubio.
Those suggestions, mentioned by Trump, drew even more backing from his supporters – 80 percent of whom want mosques monitored and 72 percent support the database. Although Carson’s popularity has declined, he’s still in fourth place with 13 percent. Ted Cruz is second at 16 percent, while Ben Carson is third with 14.
Trump remains somewhat vulnerable on social issues, where Carson (21%) is most trusted, but here, too, Trump has increased his support. Cruz follows Carson and Trump on this question with 17%. Cruz has gained 12 points since the last survey in October.
Activists were also asked which candidate they thought had the best chance of defeating presumptive Democrat nominee Hillary Clinton in November. John McCain and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. Has Donald Trump, who just today suggested that we should ban all travel to America by Muslims (a tough thing to enact when you think about it), been bested in a primary state?
Terrorism and national security, the main topics?
The rest of the candidates only have less than five percent support. But Sanders performs better with voters under 45 and independents.
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This poll was conducted by telephone December 4-8, 2015 among a random sample of 1,275 adults nationwide, including 1,053 registered voters.
