An average of the latest major polls as calculated by Real Clear Politics indicates 29 percent of people backing Trump to be the Republican nominee, but it is the race to catch him where candidates in the crowded field are separating into distinct groups. Marco Rubio at a distant second place with 14 percent.
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FILE – Republican presidential candidate, Dr. Ben Carson speaks at a rally in Pahrump, Nevada.
“We’re seeing a continuation of the energy and momentum that has been gradually and steadily building in Iowa and SC and New Hampshire and all across the country”, Cruz told reporters after a town hall in Greenville. As a true conservative, Cruz’s vision for America is rooted in his deep constitutional understanding and values founded on his faith. Obstacles still abound, the Times reports, but Cruz’s early work in states such as Iowa and SC is paying off: New York Times. Within hours of that result being reported in the media, another poll came out suggesting that Trump had regained his Iowa lead.
Despite Trump and Cruz leading the polls nationally, many Washington Republicans are outraged by Trump’s latest outburst calling for a “total and complete shutdown” of Muslims entering the U.S.as well as believe he is damaging the party’s image.
“So, if you watch the speech, it took down Carson”, Trump said. That’s more than two and a half times the 14 percent who say they would back his closest rival, Florida Sen.
Popular conservative Iowa U.S. Rep. Steve King endorsed Cruz in November.
And among those who say they have participated in nearly all of the caucuses for which they have been eligible – about 10% of Iowa adults – Trump leads 38% to 21% for Cruz, with Carson at 12% and Rubio at 11%.
As Ben Carson’s stock has fallen, Cruz has been able to corral most of those voters, Murray said. “Congressman King’s endorsement may not be the primary reason for this swing, but it certainly put a stamp on the Cruz surge in Iowa”.
Asked whom they would vote for if they were forced to choose now, 32 percent chose Trump, and that’s not nothing. Rubio is also the overwhelming second choice among Republicans in the state, with 20 percent naming him as their second choice in the primary contest. He has placed a bet on Cruz on the website PredictIt.com, according to Politico.
With less than 60 days to the Iowa Caucus, Cruz is seeing larger numbers at his events and increased fundraising. 26% say they are leaning toward a candidate.
It also said that Cruz and Trump had both gained ground since then. This represents an eight point gain since they last took the poll between 10/29 -11/4. It’s a hard place to be – at the top.
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“Cruz, at least right now, is limited much more to the right in the party – especially the religious right in the party”, he concludes.
