Donald Trump remains the front runner both nationally as well as in the key early caucus and primary states. A new Quinnipiac poll shows Trump in the lead at 25 percent, followed closely by a surging Texas Sen. Ted Cruz who has moved into the second slot at 23 percent. The man who dropped down the list is Dr. Ben Carson now in third place with 18 percent, and then come the Sunshine Boys, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio at 13 percent with former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush remains in single digits at 4 percent of the vote.
At this point we are seeing a trend and that is Trump, Cruz and Rubio look like the candidates that have what it takes to go the long run in the GOP Presidential nomination race. The trio continues to poll well in the key early states with Trump and Cruz at the top of the outsiders group with Rubio as the best choice remaining for the Republican establishment candidate.
The latest polls in New Hampshire, Trump was at 32 percent, followed by Rubio at 13 percent, Dr. Carson and Cruz at 10 percent apiece, and Ohio Gov. John Kasich at 8 percent. Meanwhile, in South Carolina Trump has a huge lead 35 percent to Dr. Carson at 19 percent with Rubio moving to third with 16 percent followed by Cruz 13 percent.
At this point there is not a state poll in the country that does not include one of the three at the top of the surveys. Trump, Rubio and Cruz remain the consistent three while Dr. Carson remains a factor, his support seems to be slipping.
Where is the Carson vote going?
The vast majority seems headed to Cruz who is crafting a way to stay close to Trump while eliminating Rubio from the picture. He has focused his biggest and most pointed attacks at the junior Senator from Florida.
While Rubio might not be the darling of the Republican establishment he clearly is a far more acceptable alternative to either Trump or Cruz. We are a long way from election day 2016 but the trend seems headed in Trump, Cruz and Rubio’s direction.
