Donald Trump opens up 20-point lead over No. 2 Ted Cruz

Republican candidates tried to impress the audience Thursday by speaking of their commitment to Jewish values and Israel at the Republican Jewish Coalition forum, but some felt that Donald Trump crossed a line and trafficked in stereotypes.

Politico reports that the GOP presidential candidate from Texas “blasted” the president’s refusal to acknowledge radical Islamic terrorism in stating, “When the president says the Islamic State isn’t Islamic, that’s just nutty”. Ward Baker advised Republicans to avoid getting “drawn into every Trump statement and every Trump dust-up” and to steer clear of the businessman’s “more extreme positioning”. Although Trump said that he would be travelling to Israel, details have not been officially worked out, a campaign spokesman said. He has absolutely no support from President Obama.

In his speech, Mr Trump played up his pro-Israel credentials and Jewish relatives.

Trump told RJC members that while he doesn’t want their money, he does want their support. “If you don’t have the humility to know what you don’t know, you’re going to be a awful president”, he said. He’s been a person I’ve known over the years.

‘I’m a negotiator – like you folks, ‘ the Republican presidential hopeful told the crowd, before later asking ‘Is there anyone in this room who doesn’t negotiate deals?’ “Probably more than any room I’ve ever spoken”.

“You’re not going to support me even though you know I’m the best thing that could happen to Israel”, Trump said.

“That’s why you don’t want to give me money, OK, but that’s OK, you want to control your own politician”.

The GOP nomination horserace question in this poll followed several questions about illegal immigration and mass deportation, both staples of Donald Trump’s campaign.

The Times of Israel was also angered by the comments.

Republican voters say they see Trump as the candidate with the best chances to win the general election next November (52% say Trump has the best chances there, compared with 15% for Rubio, 11% for Cruz and 10% for Carson).

Mr. Trump was at 36 percent in the CNN/ORC poll released Friday, with Mr. Cruz at 16 percent, retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson at 14 percent, and Sen. Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush dropped five points to three percent, while Sen. Perhaps more than any other candidate, he can afford to. Marco Rubio. “Some in our own party actually call for more sacrifice from the Israeli people”. They are dead wrong, and don’t understand the enduring bond between Israel and America.

Rubio continued: “I reject those who believe that Israel is the impediment to peace”, he said. Israel is “singled out relentlessly” by worldwide actors that seek to undermine the Jewish State, he added. He has a 55-9 percent lead over runner-up Cruz on dealing with the economy, a 48-14 percent lead over Rubio when it comes to immigration, and a 20-17 percent lead over Cruz when it comes to foreign policy.