Carly Fiorina’s debate performance impresses Iowa Republicans

On the former question, there’s little separation between Trump, Ben Carson, Mike Huckabee, Cruz, and Scott Walker.

Donald Trump has a significant lead in the race to win over likely Iowa caucus-goers, according to the first CNN/ORC poll in the state this cycle. So was the confrontation between New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Kentucky Sen. The margin of error was plus or minus 4.8 percentage points. Ted Cruz and former HP CEO Carly Fiorina tied for fifth place with 7 percent each. Jeb Bush has lectured Trump on his manners, but Trump continues to revel in baiting the ex-Florida governor by calling him “weak” and “a loser”. However, she was the consensus victor of the undercard debate on Thursday and many believe she could make a huge breakout at anytime. Eighty percent of GOP voters, including a near-universal 97 percent of those who watched the main debate, say they’re looking forward to seeing a rematch.

Surprise. The one woman in the crowded Republican field, Carly Fiorina, turns out to be articulate and well informed, thoughtful and independent, actually the standout in the second-tier debate and really, if you’re judging, the best debater of the night.

Trump holds his biggest advantage as the candidate who “is most likely to change the way things work in Washington”, 44 percent say Trump can do that, no other candidate hits double-digits. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) did the best job, while 15 percent named businessman Donald Trump and 12 percent chose Sen.

Commentators, analysts, and rival candidates have frequently noted that Trump has connected with voters who are unhappy with politicians and respect his refusal to surrender to those who want him to be more “politically correct”. The poll also sees the rest of the GOP field shaking up their spots in the poll. His supporters forecasted concerns last week when, just a few days before the debate, they announced a major $7 million ad campaign in Iowa, starting in September.

Rubio also saw a post-debate bump in his support, while Walker lost 5 points in Rasmussen’s most recent study.

She was such a nonfactor the last time that PPP didn’t include her in the horserace question, but now she’s at 10 percent and in the top five.

The Iowa poll showed that Rubio, Carson and Fiorina all got bumps among those who had watched the debate, while Trump’s lead was even higher for those who didn’t see it. Carson’s closing remarks about brain surgery were among the debate’s most memorable moments among those surveyed. Bush came in third with 11 percent.

Among age groups, Trump’s support is strongest among middle-aged voters. In the past, candidates holding frontrunner status at this early point of the race have stumbled. So it’s no surprise that, when commenting on his own performance in the August. 6 Republican presidential debate, he declared himself the clear victor.

Trump is now defying the laws of political gravity, remaining buoyantly popular when others would have crashed-spectacularly, in mind-dazzling flames-to the ground.