Why the Fourth Most Popular Candidate in Iowa Is in First Place

Weekly Standard ^ | John McCormack | Jan 31, 2016

[Isara]

Des Moines - In the final Des Moines Register/Bloomberg poll, Donald Trump leads the field at 28 percent with Ted Cruz in second place at 23 percent and Marco Rubio in third at 15 percent.

What's remarkable is that Trump is leading despite fact that's he's a deeply polarizing figure among Republicans: Nearly half of likely caucusgoers (47 percent) view him unfavorably, while 50 percent view him favorably. Trump's +3 favorability rating is well behind the favorability ratings of Ben Carson (+50), Marco Rubio (+49), and Ted Cruz (+37). Polling analysts note this is highly unusual:

...

"It makes you scratch your head," J. Ann Selzer, the pollster who conducted the Des Moines Register survey, tells me. "The field is so big--that's part of it. You've got more popular candidates not getting the first-place vote."

The poll found that Trump would lose a two-man race against Cruz by 18 points--53 percent to 35 percent. Close to a majority of Iowa caucusgoers (48 percent) have become less comfortable with Trump winning the GOP nomination. And the largest percentage of caucusgoers (37 percent) said the nomination of Trump would be "not OK" with them. (Just 20 percent said the same of Cruz and 15 percent said the same of Rubio.)

...

[gleeaikin]

It might help you inform your opinions if you read his book from the 1980’s, “The Art of the Deal.” I read that book then and thanks to the thinking process I learned, I now have double the net worth to survive retirement than I would have had without reading it. One thing that struck me was that he studied at Wharton School of Economics because he realized it produced entrepreneurs, whereas Harvard, where he was also accepted, was producing corporate CEOs (capitalists). I do believe that the kind of “greed capitalism” that results in overpaid top executive who do nothing exceptional, who send jobs overseas to cheap labor so stockholders can get enough dividends to not complain, etc., is ruining America. I was outraged in 2008 when my GE stock plunged from $50 to $5 a share, and then saw that the top 7 executives had pay ranging from $11 to $22 million over the same period. When will stockholders stop putting up with this outrage and demand representation on compensation boards, instead of allowing the current well paid back scratching racket that exists on most big corporations’ guiding bodies.

[going hot]

I respect your decisions.

[Jewbacca]

“I respect your decisions.”

Wonder Woman or driving a Defender? ;-)

[Aria]

What an interesting comment and I agree with you about the Harvard types. You put into words what I’ve felt about Harvard people - they’re out for themselves and feel entitled to their arrogance. I work at a company that has gone global (needless to say quite a few Harvard types around here) and have watched the effects of this - our AP dept, that was low paid but nevertheless loyal for years - was all laid off because their jobs were sent to India. Very distressing. This company may be based in our state but that’s not where the loyalty is.

A good friend of mine went to Wharton and ran a highly successful family business for years that employed many people. How interesting that DT chose Wharton for this reason. I wish more people knew this - I think even though he has a rough edge or two that he is brilliant and highly capable of doing what we need.

[gleeaikin]

“I wish more people knew this.” So do I. Perhaps you could do a FR post of the article below from Business Insider. It is practically a verbatim summary from the book. Examining his behavior in light of this information is very interesting.

http://www.businessinsider.com/donald-trump-business-philosophy-from-the-art-of-the-deal-2015-6

[topspinr]

‘So if Obama suddenly cracked down on immigration from the Middle East, you’re fine with him?’

You said immigration from the Middle East, i said invasion from the Middle East, that’s what happening, huge difference.

His immigration policy includes building the Wall and returning illegals that are here as well.

In the main, that would be enough to insure his winning the election. And i’m fine with that.

[okie01]

Just for my clarification, When did Senator Cruz give up his Canadian citizenship, and when was the senatorial election?

Taking you seriously...

Legally, Cruz never had Canadian citizenship. He was eligible for Canadian citizenship, but would've had to formally opt for it once he reached his majority. As you doubtlessly know, Cruz formally rejected any claim to Canadian citizenship last August. Legally, he didn't need to do this as it had no effect on his status as an American citizen-at-birth -- fully eligible to serve as president.

Cruz was elected to the Senate in 2012.

[Neu Pragmatist]

It was a bad move by Cruz ... you can get dirty on opponents , but you don’t get dirty on the voters you are trying get to vote for you ...

[BlueDragon]

Me too. He's like Trumps broken wing man.

Blackbird

[867V309]

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Hey, midget. You may want to revise that civil liberties dot, since Teddy blamed Trump for the Soros protesters. The first amendment just isn't a cruise thing. We tried to tell you about your boy but you wouldn't listen...