Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has the support of nearly one-third of Republicans and GOP-leaning independents, according to a new poll that shows an even greater percentage of voters say he’s the candidate most likely to win the party’s nomination and the candidate most likely to win in the general election.
Mr. Trump was at 32 percent in the ABC News-Washington Post survey released Wednesday, followed by retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson at 22 percent. Mr. Trump had been at 33 percent in a poll released last month, and Mr. Carson had been at 20 percent.
Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida was next at 10 percent, followed by former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush at 7 percent, Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas at 6 percent and former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina at 5 percent.
Forty-two percent said Mr. Trump is the most likely to win the party’s nomination, followed by Mr. Carson at 15 percent, Mr. Bush at 12 percent and Mr. Rubio at 5 percent.
And 43 percent said Mr. Trump gives Republicans the best chance to win the 2016 general election, followed by Mr. Carson at 16 percent, Mr. Bush at 13 percent, and Mr. Rubio at 11 percent.
Mr. Trump was also out in front on questions on some key attributes; voters saw him as the strongest leader, the best on immigration, the closest to them on the issues, and the candidate who “best understands the problems of people like you.”
He was, however, in second place behind Mr. Carson on “best personality” and “most honest,” and was behind Mr. Bush on “best experience.”
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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