Donald Trump’s front-runner status is on the line during tonight’s Republican primary debate — as new polls show Ben Carson surging — setting up a high-stakes prime-time showdown between the brash billionaire and the mild-mannered neurosurgeon.
“He’s going to come out guns-a-blazing on Ben Carson because that’s the person who poses the most immediate threat to him,” GOP strategist Ford O’Connell said of Trump.
The reality TV star — who had projected an image of invincibility up to now — has suffered a series of setbacks in the last week, trailing Carson in three different Iowa polls and a national New York Times/CBS survey released yesterday.
O’Connell pointed out Carson is the one picking up evangelical supporters in Iowa and his calm demeanor and humility are winning over female voters.
