Pollster: Trump a ‘Weak Frontrunner’ in a Crowded Field

Here are five reasons Trump is still the undisputed Republican front-runner.

“Anyone who tells you ‘when I was governor, we created a million jobs, ‘ I would be concerned because if they’re telling the truth, that means they grew government by a million jobs”.

It was indeed unusual for Trump.

It’s bound to be a Merry Christmas in the Donald Trump household this year, as the billionaire cheerfully celebrates a new national poll that shows him zooming past his Republican opponents in the race for the White House.

The jury is still out on whether the strategy will work.

REUTERS/Mike BlakeFor the past five months, real-estate tycoon Donald Trump has led all but two national polls of the Republican presidential primary. And of course, Trump reprised his consistent line of attack against Bush, calling him “weak and low energy”. Almost 60 percent of voters who picked a preferred candidate said that they remain open to changing their mind.

“Trump is an anomaly because of the overwhelming frustration voters have of Washington”, said Michael Dennehy, a New Hampshire Republican strategist who worked previously for Rick Perry’s presidential bid. The various Establishment-aligned super PACs could easily focus an intense barrage of negative ads on Cruz in the new year, timed to coincide with a reduction in the constant Trump bashing from Establishment groups and figures. Chris Christie got 5 percent, Kentucky Sen. That’s a state where Trump is behind. “I believe in what Jeb is saying”.

And while Trump continues to ride high in the polls despite his controversial statements, Christie, who has always been known for his brash, in-your-face personality, has toned down his style and works to show voters he can listen as well as talk. “So we’re hoping to create momentum in Iowa and New Hampshire and then be able to work that momentum and do what we do, which is to give two-hour town hall meetings where people get to ask whatever questions they want whenever they want, and to be stunned that a politician actually answers their question”. Cruz, who has emerged as Trump’s most serious challenger, made love, not war. Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, widely seen as needing a strong debate performance to boost his standing in the polls, was rated best by just 1% of debate watchers.

Cruz did suggest Marco Rubio would be the “establishment” candidate he will battle to the finish at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland. Slightly fewer say either sentiment applies to Trump (63% values, 60% proud) or Rubio (64% values, 62% proud).

Retail politics has long served as the counter to big money in US elections.

The announcement said the polling “must be conducted by major nationally and state recognized organizations that use standard methodological techniques (i.e., live interviewers, random digit-dial sampling techniques and include both landlines and cell phones)”. The Karl Rove-created American Crossroads Super Pac spent $8 million supporting Mitt Romney during the 2012 primaries and over $104 million through the general election.

His speech to the police union, for example, lasted less than 15 minutes as the union’s board voted to endorse him. “I think he’ll be the nominee”, Rouzer said, adding, “Trump’s probably going to be president”. “Thank you very much from your board and thank you very much”.