Donald Trump's front-runner status
has stabilized following the GOP debate two weeks ago. Whatever pundits have said about how the debate or his spat with Megyn Kelly or really anything else might affect him, it has done nothing to kill his popularity with about a quarter of GOP voters, according to the latest
CNN/ORC International poll.
The survey finds Trump with the support of 24% of Republican registered voters. His nearest competitor, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, stands 11 points behind at 13%. Just behind Bush, retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson has 9%, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker 8%, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul 6%, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, former tech CEO Carly Fiorina and Ohio Gov. John Kasich all land at 5%, with former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee rounding out the top 10 at 4%.
Trump gained six points since CNN's last poll in July and his favorables jumped eight points from 50 percent in July to 58 percent this month. The last independent poll in which Trump did not lead was over a month ago—it was a
Morning Consult poll that took place July 8-13. So, yeah, we're kinda over that "flash in the pan" thing now. Trump's lead is the new norm.
Meanwhile, The Donald's like kryptonite to Jeb Bush.
Bush, who held the top spot in the field in most CNN/ORC polls on the race between last fall and Trump's entry into the race in June, has seen his favorability ratings drop alongside his standing in the contest. Overall, 56% hold an unfavorable view of the former Florida governor and 42% of Republican voters have a negative impression. That's an increase in negative views among all adults (up from 43% since July) and among Republican voters (up from 34% unfavorable).