Trump Second in Republican Race, WSJ Poll - rofl

[Toro]

Damn, this is awesome!

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney appears to be the early front-runner in the largely unformed race for the Republican nomination for president, according to a new Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll.

But real-estate magnate Donald Trump is making waves as a surprise alternative amid grumbling about a weak GOP field.

Among Republican primary voters, Mr. Romney captured the support of 21% in a nine-candidate field. Mr. Trump was tied for second with former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, with 17%.

The pollsters who conducted the survey said Mr. Trump's 96% name recognition likely came into play when people were asked their preferences. Mr. Trump leads all candidates among tea-party supporters, with 20%, and among those who identified themselves as the most conservative. He attracted a flurry of media attention last week for questioning President Barack Obama's birthplace, a hot-button issue among tea-party members. ...

When poll respondents were presented with a narrower field of five candidates—excluding Mr. Trump but including former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Rep. Michele Bachmann and Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour—Mr. Romney came out with a 20-point lead. He won support from 40% of respondents, to Mr. Gingrich's second-place 20%.

Romney Leads GOP Field as Trump Shows Strength - WSJ.com

Palin is at 10%.

More from the poll.

Country on right track / wrong track 28/63

Approve/Disapprove of the job Obama is doing 49/45
Approve/Disapprove of the job Congress is doing 20/73

Positive/negative feelings for: Obama 50/36
Democrats 36/39
Republicans 31/44
Tea Party 29/44
Hillary Clinton 56/22
Gingrich 24/37
Palin 25/53

Obama v Generic Republican candidate in Presidential election 43/38

Budget freeze on federal spending 58/37

Have reservations / be uncomfortable voting for a Mormon 47
An evangelical Christian 47
A leader of the Tea Party 61
A Fox News commentator 68
A woman 13%
A black person 13%

If there is a shutdown of Congress, who do you blame?
Obama / Democrats in Congress 40
Republicans 37

Do you favor/oppose a balanced budget amendment 51/28
If it requires a 20% cut in Medicare/Medicaid/veteran’s benefits 27/69

Favor/oppose raising the federal debt ceiling 32/62