Billionaire businessman Donald Trump is leading the race for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination, according to a new national poll that puts him 4 points ahead of retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson.
Mr. Trump was at 24 percent support in the Bloomberg Politics poll released Thursday, followed by Mr. Carson at 20 percent.
Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida was at 12 percent, followed by Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas at 9 percent, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush at 6 percent and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie at 4 percent.
Former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, Ohio Gov. John Kasich and Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky were tied at 3 percent each.
In head-to-head match-ups, voters chose Mr. Trump over Mr. Carson on the issues of the economy, illegal immigration, combating “Islamic terrorism,” dealing with Russian President Vladimir Putin, having the most appropriate life experience to be president, and knowing the most about how to get things done.
Mr. Carson, meanwhile, has the better temperament to be president, voters said. He also “cares the most about people like you” more so than Mr. Trump, and led Mr. Trump on who would work most effectively with Congress, who has the right values to lead the nation, and who is the most honest and trustworthy.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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