Donald Trump continues to hold sway over a quarter of the GOP base as the wide field closes in on the second debate.
But Ben Carson has emerged as a tough competitor who is following in his wake with a similar rise in the polls.
According to the latest polls in Iowa, Carson has pulled to within five points of Trump’s 23% lead, and his favorable ratings are among the best in the field.
The twin rise to prominence of both candidates, according to some analysts, is confirmation that voters prefer non-politicians amid a toxic anti-DC sentiment that has resulted in historically low ratings both for President Obama and Congress.
The question, of course, is whether both Trump and Carson can maintain their positions with strong performances in the Simi Valley debate in just over two weeks.
