Cruz Tops Trump in Latest Iowa Poll, But It’s Anyone’s Game

For the 2d time Donald Trump has been topped in Iowa, but this time it is by the surging Ted Cruz.  Iowa is actually a perfect fit for Cruz since it has a strong evangelical/Tea Party base.   Even so, the poll shows a very tight race with top 4 contenders.  Trump and Carson continue to slide, but Marco Rubio continues to gain momentum with Cruz.  However, all 4 remain close contenders.  It breaks out as follows:

24% – Cruz

19% – Trump

17% – Rubio

13% – Carson

6% – Bush

4% – Paul

3% – Fiorina

3% – Kasich

2% – Christie

2% – Huckabee

1% – Santorum

<1% – Graham

13% – Undecided

There is still room to play in Iowa beyond the 13%.  Only 20% of the respondents have “completely decided” on their vote.  49% have a “strong preference,” but another 18% of those making a selection only indicated a “slight preference.”  In other words,  among the top 4, it’s anybody’s game.

12/07 Monmouth University Poll