Passion for Politics: Trump and Clinton have Challengers Closing in on Them

With the second Republican debate only hours away, the polls are tightening in both parties as the two front runners, Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, have challengers closing in on them.

Dr. Ben Carson

Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson has gained 17 percent in one month, primarily among college graduates. However, according to the latest CBS/New York Times poll, Trump still leads Carson 27 percent to 23 percent. The poll indicated major problems for Jeb Bush who dropped 7 percent from August and Governor Scott Walker who is down 8 percent.

Hilary Clinton

On the Democratic side of the ledger, Hillary’s lead over Senator Bernie Sanders has narrowed considerably. In August Clinton led Sanders 58 percent to 17 percent. The CBS/NY Times poll has it now at 47 percent  to 27 perecnt, a drop of 21 perent!

Undeclared candidate Vice President Joe Biden is at 15 percent. Clinton’s support among men has decreased the most where she now holds a slight five point advantage over Sanders. In the under age 50 group, Clinton’s lead has totally evaporated. And with liberals Hillary’s double digit lead in August now shows Sanders with a five point advantage.

Bernie Sanders

Each week we share a comment on the election process. This week we asked Governor Phil Bryant his thoughts. Here is what he said:

….”It’s very early in the process, but I trust the American people will make the right choice — as long as it’s a Republican.”

The governor was in Oxford this week, where he spoke about great strides in education in Mississippi, exciting developments in manufacturing and Economic Development and referenced the field of outstanding candidates interested in the Chancellor’s position at Ole Miss.

Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant

On Monday night Donald Trump spoke before another huge crowd in Dallas (estimated in excess of 17,000) as Latino groups protested outside the arena. The next night in California, Trump spoke to a veterans group aboard the battleship USS Iowa where he promised that the military would be the biggest and most powerful ever should he be elected.

Donald Trump

He also mentioned the current problems with the Veterans Administration in seeing vets timely and assured the audience that this situation would be resolved immediately once he takes office. In Dallas the loudest applause sounded when Trump brought up the subject of illegal immigrants. A standing ovation followed.

It’s now “show and tell time” for several Republicans as money and time are working against them.

Specifically, Rand Paul, Mike Huckabee and Chris Christie are treading water and must make a move quickly or join former Texas Governor Rick Perry on the presidential sweepstakes sidelines.

Tonight’s debate is expected to highlight more than one of the GOP candidates going after the Donald with Carly Fiorina leading the charge. How Trump responds has the nation on the edge of its seat as anticipating what he might say is as easy as predicting the winner of Saturday’s Ole Miss – Alabama game.