Politics Trump Tied With Bush in Latest Poll

BRADENTON — The media has been obsessed with real estate mogul Donald Trump's controversial comments about immigrants and the effect it has had on his business arrangements, while Democrats and Latino activists have called on other GOP candidates to condemn the Don.

However, a recent poll suggests that Trump's bombastic diatribes are actually working for him. He now stands even with GOP frontrunner and former Florida Governor, Jeb Bush.

Trump garnered 15.8 percent in a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll. Bush got 16.1 percent, putting them within the margin of error.

That puts the Donald well ahead of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie (9.5 percent), Kentucky Senator Rand Paul (8.1 percent), pediatric brain surgeon-turned political pundit Ben Carson (7.2 percent) and Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker (5.8 percent).

Trump made headlines when, while denouncing illegal immigrants coming across the Mexican/U.S. border during his announcement speech, he said that Mexico was not sending their best and brightest to the United States and that the ones who come have "lots of problems, and they're bringing those problems with us. They're bringing drugs. They're bringing crime. They're rapists. And some, I assume, are good people."  

Many Republicans, including Bush and Christie, condemned Trump's statement, and RNC Chairman Reince Priebus personally asked Trump to "tone down" his comments, but the Don instead ramped them up.

"I don’t see how there is any room for misunderstanding or misinterpretation of the statement I made on June 16th during my Presidential announcement speech," Trump wrote in a statement to the press, adding, "What can be simpler or more accurately stated? The Mexican Government is forcing their most unwanted people into the United States. They are, in many cases, criminals, drug dealers, rapists, etc."

While most Republicans were dismissive of Trump as a serious candidate, some prominent members of the party rushed to Trump's aide. Arizona Governor Jan Brewer said on CNN, “I believe that Mr. Trump is kind of telling it like it really, truly is,” while fellow candidate Ted Cruz said, “I am proud to stand with Donald Trump,” while appearing on Fox Business News after Trump's remarks.