Trump Tops Another Presidential Poll

Donald Trump is leading yet another poll for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination, in what is expected to be one of the national surveys that could be used to decide who participates in the first GOP debate next week in Ohio.

Mr. Trump captured 20 percent of the vote in the Quinnipiac University poll of Republican or Republican-leaning voters nationwide, putting him well ahead of his closest competitors — Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin with 13 percent, and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush with 10 percent — in the crowded GOP field.

The rest of the pack is bunched together, fueling additional questions about who will be on the outside looking in for the the first Republican National Committee sponsored debate on Aug. 6, which Fox is capping at ten candidates based on an average of national polls.

Mr. Trump also led the “no way” list in the poll, with 30 percent of respondents saying they could not vote for him, followed by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, 15 percent, and Mr. Bush, 14 percent.

Donald Trump: 20 percent

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker: 13 percent

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush: 10 percent

Ben Carson: 6 percent

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee: 6 percent

Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul: 6 percent

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio: 6 percent

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz: 5 percent

Ohio Gov. John Kasich: 5 percent

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie: 3 percent

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal: 2 percent

Via: Washington Times

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Large GOP field has party leaders anxious about their chances in ’16

DES MOINES — To take back the White House after eight years in the political wilderness, Republicans think they must soften their image and expand their appeal in particular to women and Latino voters. As Jeb Bush, a leading presidential contender, puts it, “We’re going to win if we show our hearts.”

But the GOP’s strategic imperative is running headlong into its structural reality.

Party officials are growing worried about a wide-open nominating contest likely to feature a historically large and diverse field. At best, they say, the Republican primaries will be a lively showcase of political talent — especially compared with the relative coronation taking shape on the Democratic side. But officials also acknowledge just how risky their circumstance is for a party that hasn’t put on a good show in a long time.

With no clear front-runner and Bush so far unable to consolidate his path to the nomination — his fumbles over the Iraq war and his brother’s legacy further exposed his vulnerabilities — the GOP’s internecine battle could stretch well into the spring of 2016.

This could cost presidential aspirants tens of millions of dollars; pull them far to the right ideologically, from hot-button social issues to foreign policy; and jeopardize their general-election chances. And in such a muddled lineup — officials are planning to squeeze 10 or more contenders onto the debate stage — candidates will be rewarded for finding creative ways to gain notice.

Via: Washington Post

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