With less than a week to go until the Iowa caucuses, GOP presidential front-runner Donald Trump has a 2-point lead over Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas in the Hawkeye State, with Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida holding down third place.
Mr. Trump was at 31 percent in the Quinnipiac University poll released Tuesday, followed by Mr. Cruz at 29 percent and Mr. Rubio at 13 percent, with nobody else above 7 percent.
“Despite Sarah Palin’s endorsement of Donald Trump and Gov. Terry Branstad’s criticism of Sen. Ted Cruz, and despite — or because of — Sen. Cruz’ ’New York values’ comments, the Iowa Republican Caucus remains too close to call,” said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University poll.
A Jan. 11 Quinnipiac survey had Mr. Trump with the same 2-point, 31 percent to 29 percent lead over Mr. Cruz, with Mr. Rubio at 15 percent.
“One week before the caucuses gather, the question is which candidate has the best field organization. If the events of the last two weeks haven’t moved the needle, one wonders what would change it in the next six days,” Mr. Brown said.
Mr. Cruz led Mr. Trump among tea party members, white, born-again evangelical Christians and voters who described themselves as “very conservative.”
Mr. Trump, meanwhile led among “somewhat conservative” voters and among voters who said they are “moderate” or “liberal.”
Twenty-four percent said they would “definitely not support” Mr. Trump, 24 percent said they would not support former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, and 12 percent said “no way” to Mr. Cruz.
“It all comes down to turnout. And with four in 10 likely caucus participants saying they still might change their mind, this is an especially volatile race,” Mr. Brown said.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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