What’s more, Lara M. Brown, an associate professor of politics at George Washington University, contends that CNN/ORC engaged in a “bad polling practice” in the survey by choosing to ask five questions on the topic of illegal immigration prior to asking about the Republican horserace. Oh, and by the way, they are Hispanics in their 40s.
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More generally, about 4 in 10 Republicans say Trump is the candidate who would be most effective at solving the country’s problems (42% name Trump, 14% Carson, 12% Cruz, 10% Rubio) and could best handle the responsibilities of being commander-in-chief (37% Trump, 16% Cruz, 11% Carson and 10% Rubio). That leaves us with Trump, Cruz and Rubio. They are advancing in a completely typical track.
Like other candidates, such as Ted Cruz, Rubio won loud applause at the forum as he pledged to move the USA embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
They both serve in a body, the U.S. Senate, that practically exists as a steppingstone to the White House.
Cruz is moving up in the polls but has a lower ceiling than Rubio.
A Cruz-Rubio race would play as the grass roots vs. the establishment, although Rubio in the establishment slot would be an enormous victory for the tea party. But the Republican presidential candidate says he has doubts about each side’s commitment to the peace process.
Differences aside, important similarities were also on display, most notably in their promises to stand with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose relationship with President Barack Obama has been notably sour.
As the Times reported, “In a party that lacks a true leader or anything in the way of consensus – and with the combative Mr. Trump certain to scorch anyone who takes him on – a fierce dispute has arisen about what can be done to stop his candidacy and whether anyone should even try”.
If Trump ran as a third-party candidate, it might be a different story.
The differences between the two over the appropriate use of USA military power sharpened at the gathering of Jewish Republicans. Bush is struggling to find a formula that compels voters to take a second look at him.
There are doubts about both of them.
Darryl May, a 59-year-old lawyer from Pennsylvania, plans to support Rubio due to “a combination of his positions and, frankly, his electability”. Is Rubio too youthful-looking?
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump autographs a supporter’s chest following his speech at a campaign rally at the Prince William County Fair Ground in Manassas, Va., Dec. 2.
But Trump’s not running as an independent. Chris Christie, in a testament to his resiliency, is showing signs of life.
Republican presidential hopeful Jeb Bush has promised that if he is elected president next November he will deploy the full might of the US Department of Justice to crack down on the movement to boycott, divest from and sanction Israel.
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Nineteen percent of New Hampshire Democrats opted for The Donald.
