This isn’t the process GOP leaders were expecting. Poll numbers have shown that Republican voters seem to be pushing GOP insiders out, rejecting the buffet of former governors and congressmen. Instead, they’re clamoring for a party outsider.
New polls have Donald Trump, Ben Carson, and Carly Fiorina, none of whom have held political office, holding nearly 50% of the Republican vote, while establishment politicians like Jeb Bush can’t seem to gain any polling traction. It seems like a civil war in the Republican Party, and the numbers show it has caught the establishment by surprise.
The largest beneficiary has been Carson, who is now polling second to Trump. Carson has been holding court with hundreds of Iowans, declaring that he can be president of the United States.
At The Des Moines Register’s Political Soapbox at the Iowa State Fair, Carson, a Republican candidate for president, said Sunday: “We shouldn’t let the political class pick our presidents.”
Carson, who has a rags-to-riches story, has ignited curiosity and enthusiasm from conservatives with his call for a more civil, less partisan dialogue in the federal government. On the stage, he said: “Just because you disagree with someone doesn’t mean you’re their enemy.”
He sprinkled his 15-minute speech with jokes about aspiring to be a doctor while growing up in inner-city Detroit.
He said the chief problem facing the country is its long-term liabilities, which Carson said amount to $211 trillion over time.
He said: “The problems that threaten to destroy us are not Democrat problems or Republican problems. They are American problems.”
The Associated Press contributed to this article
leigh says
We the people in my generation which has lasted a long time have had NO problems with people of different nationality’s or color, gay, straight, whatever, we are all different people & like the fact we are, what we resent is politicians making rules & laws forcing us to abide by them. We are all in a financial disarray & each law cost money & all it does is force people to recognize the difference & cause animosity between the parties involved we all bleed red blood which more of it has been shed since all of this started, look at the people we have running for office now- the 3 candidate’s in the lead are not career politician’s that alone tells a big story the people are fed up& will put the best person in office we can.
John Hasse says
Fat chance. Look at the support Ron Paul had last time, and the established Republicrats stole his nomination.
Nancy says
I do not want to start a disagreement/argument with anyone. What I say will be my own opinion, perhaps brought to my attention from previous remarks. I agree the Republicans party is being torn apart by some (as yet, unknown party, or parties) and just want to see if anyone else agrees with me. I have not watched all the Republican debates this year, but I, too, believe something is going on. I have always voted Republican, if there was one running for an office. I have always been a Texan, and do not apologize for this. Since I saw D. J. Trump announce he was running for the office of President this year, I could see a plot thicken. I am part psychic, and have been for most of the 70+ years of my life. I believed in the beginning that he was there too disrupt the Republican Party, and to date, seems to be accomplishing his purpose. If I had a platform, it would say: “Dump Trump” , loud and clear. He is not to be trusted in my opinion, and will continue to disrupt this current Republican platform, if at all possible. There is NO WAY I would ever vote for someone who has enough money to buy the nomination, or election. Think about it and let me hear/read what you have to say.
Frank says
We have an “Outsider” a “Community Organizer” for President.
George R James says
I remember Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. After that attack this nation came together as never before in it’s history. Even the Revolution War there were detractors to General Washington and the Civil War had adversaries on each side. However with all the problems we face many of the candidates are trying to hurt the other ones politically when they should be stating how they will bring this country together and solve our problems. I think Ben is the one who can achieve a healing of the United States of America. After Japan’s attack this nation became the most prosperous and militarily secure of any nation on earth. Yeah, we won the WWII War.