Dr. Ben Carson's recent surge in the polls is no doubt related to Americans' sentiments against establishment politicians. With 45 percent of Americans self-identifying as independent and 71 percent of Americans dissatisfied with the way the nation is heading, this anti-establishment trend should not come as a surprise.
According to a recent national poll, the retired neurosurgeon has the highest favorability rating of any GOP candidate. He stands at 68 percent compared to Marco Rubio (58 percent) and Donald Trump (56 percent). A Monmouth University poll released Monday showed that among Iowa Republicans, Carson and Trump tie for first at 23 percent, followed by Carly Fiorina at 10 percent.
"Trump's support is currently more solid than Carson's, but Iowa voters are still considering quite a few candidates before they come to a final decision," Patrick Murray, director of the independent Monmouth University Polling Institute, explained.
When asked if the country needs a president from outside Washington, 66 percent of Iowa Republicans agree that new blood, even without political experience, is necessary. Among all Americans, 48 percent prefer a political outsider as president compared to a candidate with experience.
This same question, broken down by party, gives credence to why political outsiders in the GOP race are polling remarkably well compared to their establishment opponents. Among Republicans polled, 78 percent prefer an outsider, compared to 18 percent for Democrats, and 55 percent of independents.However, that being said, will any of these political outsiders be able to solve the problem of government gridlock on their own? Will these political outsiders, if elected, continue down the divisive road of partisan politics?
A significant part of Carson's, Trump's, and Fiorina's appeal is that they are anti-establishment politicians, but does this truly mean their actions, once in office, will differ from presidents in the past?
The executive office is only one of three branches and does not function solely by itself. Whoever is elected, establishment or not, will still have to work with a Congress that is highly partisan.
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