TRUMP TRUMPS – AT 10:33 A.M.  ET:  A new ABC poll shows Donald Trump still leading, and showing great strength.  From ABC News: 

Donald Trump leads the Republican presidential field in the latest ABC News/Washington Post poll, not only in vote preferences but in expectations as well -– a remarkable feat for the non-politician who’s surprised the GOP establishment with his staying power as well as his support.

Trump has leveled off with backing from 32 percent of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents who are registered to vote, easily enough to retain his frontrunner status. Fellow outsider Ben Carson follows with 22 percent, also flat this month after sharp summertime gains.

Notably, even more leaned Republicans -- 42 percent -- say they expect Trump to win the GOP nomination for president. And given a list of six potential nominees, 43 percent pick Trump as having the best chance to win the general election just more than a year from now.

Trump also fares well on many key attributes. Nearly half of leaned Republicans -- 47 percent -- view him as the strongest leader; 39 percent think he'd be best able to handle immigration; 32 percent feel he is closest to them on the issues; and 29 percent say he “best understands the problems of people like you.” In each case he leads the other top-five contenders for the nomination, Carson, Marco Rubio, Jeb Bush, Ted Cruz and Carly Fiorina.

Trump has weaknesses nonetheless. More view Carson as the most honest and trustworthy (33 percent vs. 21 percent for Trump), and Trump trails Bush in having the best experience (31 vs. 23 percent). While 19 percent say Trump has the best personality and temperament to serve effectively as president, that compares with a similar 24 percent for Carson.

COMMENT:  It's far from over.  I'm guessing that Trump, despite his apparent staying power, will stay at the level he's at.  Please note that three quarters of Republicans do not support him.  As other Republican candidates drop out of the race, I'm hoping their backing goes to the GOP's best hope in the general election.  In my view that is Marco Rubio. 

I really don't think Trump can win a general election.  All those absurd and offensive statements he's made are on tape, and will be used against him.  He's far from an adequate debater.  He rarely knows his facts.  And the press will overwhelmingly try to help Hillary. 

The real political season only began last month.  Time may shake up this whole race.  

October 21, 2015