Trump grows Iowa lead as 69 per cent of the state's Republicans (war on Christianity)<tr>

dailymail.co.uk ^ | David Martosko

[RoosterRedux]

• Survey of Iowa Republicans found Donald Trump leads the field with 24 per cent, followed by Ben Carson at 17 and Carly FIorina at 13
• Trump has picked up five points since the first debate in Cleveland; Everyone else in the GOP Iowa Caucus race is mired in single digits
• Trump's staying power might be rooted in the state's deep religious roots, with 54 per cent of Republicans describing themselves as 'evangelicals'
• Sixty-nine per cent agree with Trump's complaint that President Obama is waging a 'war on Christianity'
• Another 30 per cent believe Islam should be illegal, likely feeding off Carson's comment that no Muslim should be elected president

Donald Trump has emerged none the worse for wear in Iowa after last week's Republican primary debate, leading in the all-important first caucus state according to a statewide poll released Tuesday.

Trump's recent emphasis on religion – he carried a Bible on stage at Saturday's 'Faith and Freedom Forum' in Des Moines and sat down for a multi-part interview last week with the Christian Broadcasting Network‎ – has borne fruit In Iowa's deeply religious farm country.

Fifty-four per cent of Republicans surveyed by Public Policy Polling said they were evangelical Christians. Sixty-nine percent said they agree with Trump's complaint that President Barack Obama is waging a 'war on Christianity.'

Another 30 per cent told pollsters they believe the religion of Islam should be 'illegal in the United States.' That position bolsters Dr. Ben Carson, the poll's second-place finisher, who said on Sunday that he wouldn't support the election of a Muslim as America's president because Islam is 'inconsistent' with the U.S. Constitution.

[Georgia Girl 2]

I agree. Unless he commits an unforced error Trump will be the GOP nominee. Who is going to surge enough to pass him? If there was anybody they would be running neck and neck right now.

[vette6387]

“Trump will get the MOST crossover votes from democrats except Kasich perhaps. “

But it will be hard for Kasich to do that if he’s already out of the race, which I suspect he will be way before the first primary.

[rhinohunter]

Agree with you on Rubio. If he had a touch of gray in his hair he would be a very formidable establishment candidate.

[9YearLurker]

Ha ha—that’s a good look for him.

[Jane Long]

He doesn’t have to be evangelical— just pro_Jehovah God and pro- christian will do. To this he admits such... Trump is no saint but he’s no devil either.... Look who we got stuck with for 8 years?

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THAT ^^