NEW FOX POLL – AT 8:56 A.M. ET:  A Fox poll just out seems to ratify other polls.  The disappointing number is for Carly Fiorina, whose campaigning has gotten almost universal praise, but who can't seem to gain traction among the voters...at least not yet.  From Fox: 

National security is a much bigger issue for Republicans this time than during the last primary. And more GOP hopefuls make it official -- yet they barely move the needle. Bernie Sanders nearly doubles his numbers and support for Hillary Clinton dips -- even as Democrats say they’re not concerned about allegations of her dishonesty.

These are some of the findings from the latest Fox News poll on the 2016 presidential election.

There’s no true frontrunner in the race for the GOP nomination - and not all the candidates in the poll have declared yet. The new poll, released Wednesday, finds three Republicans receiving double-digit backing from GOP primary voters: former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker each receive 12 percent and neurosurgeon Ben Carson gets 11 percent.

They are followed by Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul at 9 percent, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz at 8 percent, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio at 7 percent, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee at 6 percent and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie at 5 percent.

Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who will make his candidacy official Thursday, and businessman Donald Trump get 4 percent each.

Three Republicans officially threw their hat in the ring recently. South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham announced June 1, former New York Gov. George Pataki announced May 28 and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum declared May 27. Each receives 2 percent.

Businesswoman Carly Fiorina and Ohio Gov. John Kasich also each garner 2 percent.

COMMENT:  At this stage polls are heavily influenced by name recognition.  There's been a lot of press on Bush, Walker and Ben Carson, who's become very well known in recent years.  Rubio should probably be higher, and I'm confident that will come as more and more Republicans get to know him. 

A fear is being expressed in some Republican circles that Carly Fiorina will be kept out of the initial debates because of her low poll standing.  That would be a political tragedy.  As a speaker she outshines most of the other candidates. 

There are so many GOP candidates that a debate becomes almost silly.  The audience won't be able to remember the names.  Maybe several debates, over several nights, each one featuring a different group, might be an answer.  An independent panel would choose the matchups.

June 4, 2015