New poll shows Trump’s still on top

An Associated Press-GfK poll finds that Republican voters view Donald Trump as their strongest general election candidate.

The poll finds that 7 in 10 Republican and Republican-leaning registered voters say Trump could win the November 2016 election if he’s nominated. That’s the most who say that about any candidate.

By comparison, 6 in 10 say the same for Ben Carson.

Like Trump, the retired neurosurgeon has tapped into the powerful wave of anti-establishment anger defining the early phases of the 2016 contest.

Carson and Trump are also the candidates most likely to receive positive ratings from Republican voters, with 65 percent saying they have a favorable opinion of Carson and 58 percent saying the same of Trump.

Paulina Babinski, a southern Colorado attorney who supports Trump, told KRDO NewsChannel 13 that she appreciates Trump’s candid conversation and his ability to negotiate.

“I’m a negotiator. He’s a negotiator. So I think there’s an element of fascination to see even as he’s campaigning, he’s negotiating with the voters,” Babinski said.

Babinski also said she supports Trump’s stance on the economy, jobs and education. When it comes to Trump’s controversial comments on immigration, Babinski said she doesn’t take it at face value.

“I know Donald Trump says he’s going to deport 11 million immigrants. I can’t believe that. I mean, a president is not a dictator,” Babinski said. “I think what Donald wants to do is get rid of all the criminals. I think he wants to tighten up our visa program.”

Trump will face off against nine other GOP candidates on the main debate stage at the University of Colorado at Boulder on Wednesday night.