Ben Carson has surged past Donald Trump in Iowa, according to a Quinnipiac University poll of likely Republican caucus participants out Thursday.

The retired neurosurgeon leads the Republican field with 28 percent, while Trump has fallen behind with 20 percent. A September survey had Trump at 27 percent, and Carson at 21 percent.

Also scoring a boost — Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, who comes in third with 13 percent, after attracting only 5 percent support in last month's poll. Following Rubio in the most recent survey is Texas Sen. Ted Cruz with 10 percent, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul with 6 percent, and Carly Fiorina and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, both with 5 percent. All other candidates are under 3 percent.

The strong showing from Carson, who has gotten accolades for his debate performance and campaign style despite tossing out some inflammatory comments about Muslims and mass shootings, comes in part from his support from women, who back Carson 33 percent to Trump's 13 percent.

Carson also has “almost unheard of” favorability numbers according to Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll.

“Those who know Carson seem to like him. He has an almost unheard of 84/10 percent favorability rating among likely Republican caucus-goers, compared to Trump’s 53/43 percent rating. To borrow the line from Madison Avenue, ‘Almost no one doesn’t like Ben Carson,’” Brown said.

While Carson and Trump have been jockeying for support from evangelical voters, Carson received 36 percent of the vote from white, evangelical Christians — more than double Trump’s 17 percent.

And while Trump may sit toward the top of the poll, 30 percent of voters said they “would definitely not support” the businessman. Bush comes in second as a no-support candidate with 21 percent.

A candidate who shares their values is most important to 28 percent of caucus-goers; 23 percent think being honest and trustworthy is key.

But Carson doesn’t have to worry about which quality is more important because 84 percent of those polled said he shares their values and 89 percent felt he is honest and trustworthy. He also topped other candidates when it came to caring about voters' needs and problems — 87 percent felt he did.

“It’s Ben Carson’s turn in the spotlight,” Brown said.

The poll of 574 likely Iowa Republican caucus-goers took place Oct. 14-20 via landlines and cell phones. The margin of error is plus or minus 4.1 percentage points.

Not like it matters. The Republicans have yet to put a polarizing figure up. To win the race to be POTUS, you need to energize voters in swing states, and get the middle 20% to vote your way. So far no one has been able to. The problem is with the Republicans themselves. Too far to the Right and the 20% won't vote for you. Too close to the middle and the Republican Party won't endorse you.

It's arguable if the US is right or left of center. The main point is that it's in the center. You can't dictate from the far right or left. You have to be in the middle. As much as I like Bernie, he's still too far left. He may not be in a winning position either.

Sadly, I miss Bill. Politically he was ever so slightly left of center.

And he liked blowjobs. Never trust a man who wouldn't accept head.

I wouldn't be displeased to see a Ben Carson presidency.

Quote from: Luciana on October 22, 2015, 07:25:23 PM

Quote from: HEAT SEEKING GHOST OF SEX on October 22, 2015, 07:20:17 PM

I wouldn't be displeased to see a Ben Carson presidency.

I would. The dude is a moron outside of his field of expertise who says the stupidest shit.

Okay so aside from you not liking it, what makes it "stupid"?

You can say the man has shit stances, I happily will, but he comes from no less intelligent a position than any other candidate.

The fuck? Carson is one of the most charismatic candidates to run in my lifetime.