After the new polling numbers emerged yesterday there is both good and bad news for those who hope America doesn’t shoot itself in the face and elect Donald Trump to office.

The bad news first, Trump still leads the national polls amongst the Republican candidates with 24%. That happens to be well ahead of closest rivals Scott Walker (13%) and Jeb Bush (12%), the latter borrowing the Bush family brain cell for the duration of his campaign.

The good news (or better news) is that Trump’s statements questioning the military service of John McCain have cost him some support. Whilst the sample numbers are relatively small, and it is thus difficult to extrapolate to a national level with much accuracy, his popularity did dip in the wake of the initial criticism and subsequent refusal to apologise. CNN reports:

The poll, fielded from Thursday to Sunday, found a drop-off in support for Trump in interviews conducted on the final day of fielding. While he earned 28% support during the first three nights of interviewing, that dipped to single digits on the final day.

Just 34% of Republicans think that Trump’s views reflect the core values of the Republican Party, a majority, 54%, say they do not, and 31% of Republicans say they would definitely not vote for him in the general election should he win the party’s nomination. About twice as many as have ruled out a vote for Bush.

I guess what we can learn from the above is that it’s OK to call Mexican immigrants rapists and drug dealers, you will still poll relatively well. Dare call into question a military man and the Republicans will turn against you rather rapidly.

And, all the while, the Democrats must be smiling smugly from the other side. If this ridiculous run by Trump continues all the way to the Republican nomination they will be the biggest winners of all.

[source:cnn]