Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has widened his lead in the early state of New Hampshire over the rest of the 2016 GOP field, according to a poll released Wednesday that also showed voters thought Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida did the best job in the most recent GOP debate.
Mr. Trump had the support of 23 percent of likely Republican primary voters and leaners in the WBUR poll, followed by retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson and Mr. Rubio at 13 percent apiece.
Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas was at 8 percent, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Ohio Gov. John Kasich were at 7 percent apiece, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie was at 6 percent, Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky was at 5 percent, former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina was at 4 percent, and Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina was at 2 percent.
In a WBUR survey taken in late October/early November, Mr. Trump had been at 18 percent, followed by Mr. Carson at 16 percent, Mr. Rubio at 11 percent and Mr. Kasich at 10 percent.
Of those who watched the last GOP debate, 36 percent said Mr. Rubio did the best job, followed by Mr. Cruz at 16 percent, Mr. Trump at 9 percent and Mr. Carson at 7 percent.
Twenty-six percent said Mr. Kasich did the worst job — the highest percentage for any candidate. Mr. Kasich was followed by Mr. Trump at 20 percent and Mr. Bush at 16 percent.
Mr. Carson has been the best-liked GOP candidate in many early polls on the 2016 contest, but he was eclipsed by Mr. Rubio in this one.
Mr. Rubio had a 57 percent/20 percent favorable/unfavorable split — about the same as his 56 percent/24 percent split from late October/early November.
Mr. Carson, meanwhile, had a 55 percent/26 percent split — down from a 63 percent/19 percent split in the last poll, though still second-best in the field.
Former Massachusetts Gov. and 2012 GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney had a positive 57 percent/29 percent split. But 64 percent said they would not like Mr. Romney to enter the 2016 race, compared to 34 percent who said they would. Mr. Romney had toyed with getting in, but has repeatedly said he’s not running.
The survey was conducted Nov. 14-15 — after last week’s terrorist attacks in Paris.
A plurality — 38 percent — said the next president should send more troops to the Middle East, 28 percent said troop levels should be kept about where they are, and 22 percent said as many troops as possible should be removed from the region.
A majority, 54 percent, said the amount the U.S. currently spends on the military is too low, compared to 27 percent who said “about right” and 14 percent who said “too high.”
Fifty-five percent said people who have come to the country illegally should be granted either a path to citizenship or legal status; 34 percent said they should be granted a pathway to citizenship and 21 percent favored granting them legal status, but not citizenship. Forty-two percent said they should be deported.
Forty-six percent said they’d prefer someone from outside the political establishment to be the next president, compared to 36 percent who said they prefer someone with experience in elected office.
And voters were split at 43 percent apiece when asked whether they would prefer to see Republicans compromise to get things done or hold fast to their principles.
Sixty-four percent did say they disapprove of the way Republican leaders are handling their job, compared to 24 percent who approve.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.