Donald Trump’s sense of showmanship is undeniable, but many feel his antics are more circus than substance. While the media may not be taking him seriously, some new polls seem to indicate that the voters are. But is the GOP actually ready to elect Trump, or is his candidacy a novelty that will gradually fade?
When Trump first surfaced near the top of a Gravis Marketing New Hampshire poll a few weeks back, Gravis boldly declared “Trump moves into top-tier status.” Few, if any, truly believed that statement, nor did they believe that Trump was actually going to run this time around. Since that poll, Trump has placed second in two more N.H. polls: a Suffolk poll and a CNN poll. The RealClearPolitics average of the New Hampshire polls places Trump in third overall, following Jeb Bush and Scott Walker.
Now, Trump’s support is beginning to radiate into the national poll numbers as well. A Fox News Poll released last week showed Trump polling second overall nationally. The results of the Fox News poll of 1,005 registered voters were as follows:
- Jeb Bush: 15%
- Donald Trump: 11%
- Ben Carson: 10%
- Rand Paul: 9%
- Scott Walker: 9%
- Marco Rubio: 8%
- Mike Huckabee: 6%
- Ted Cruz: 4%
- Carly Fiorina: 3%
- Rick Santorum: 3%
- Chris Christie: 2%
- Rick Perry: 2%
- John Kasich: 2%
- Bobby Jindal: 2%
- Lindsey Graham: 1%
Of course, this poll could be a fluke, just as many felt the first N.H. poll was, but it seems to indicate a trend. Many GOP voters are looking for an outsider, and Trump’s fire-from-the-hip style is resonating with some those voters. But how many of them will still be ready to elect Trump when it comes time to vote? Only time will tell, but in the meantime, Trump will certainly shake up the GOP field, and will, no doubt, be the punchline of more than a few late night jokes.
Joshua Pinho works for American Principles in Action.
