IOWA – With just two weeks to go before Fox News hosts the first Republican presidential debate of the 2016 cycle, real estate mogul Donald Trump looks increasingly well-positioned to claim center stage.
A new Morning Consult poll finds Trump leading the Republican field with 22 percent of the vote, well ahead of former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, who clocks in with 15 percent, and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, in third place with 12 percent.
No other Republican breaks into double digits. Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson receives 8 percent of the vote, with former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee at 7 percent, Sen. Marco Rubio (Fla.) at 6 percent and Sen. Rand Paul (Ky.) at 5 percent. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Sen. Ted Cruz (Texas) are tied at 4 percent apiece. (read more)