TRUMP ROMPS, BUT MANY ARE JITTERY – AT 9:08 A.M. ET:  Donald Trump continues his substantial lead among Republican primary voters, but it's being noted that he commands nothing near a majority.  Many Republicans are nervous about the comments made by their "frontrunner."  From The New York Times:

Donald J. Trump occupies his strongest position yet in the race for the Republican presidential nomination, yet nearly two-thirds of American voters say they are concerned or frightened about the prospect of a Trump presidency, according to the latest New York Times/CBS News nationwide poll.

The poll was taken largely before his statement on Monday afternoon proposing to temporarily bar Muslims from entering the United States.

On the Democratic side, the poll found Hillary Clinton is maintaining her 20-point lead over Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont. The possibility of her winning the presidency in 2016 is only marginally more palatable to American voters than that of Mr. Trump.

And that is the key.  Republicans have an ideal opportunity to win the White House over the unpopular Hillary Clinton, if only they can get rid of the GOP curse – putting up self-destructive candidates.

Mr. Trump commands the support of 35 percent of Republican primary voters, leading his closest competitors, Senator Ted Cruz of Texas (16 percent) and Ben Carson (13 percent) by a more than 2-to-1 margin. While Mr. Carson’s support was cut in half since the last time The Times and CBS News polled on the race in late October, Mr. Cruz has quadrupled his share. Senator Marco Rubio of Florida’s support stands at 9 percent, with the rest of the candidates at 4 percent or less.

Enthusiasm for and attention to the campaign are higher among Republican primary voters than among their Democratic counterparts. A 54 percent majority of Democratic primary voters said they had made up their minds about who they will support, while 64 percent of Republicans say it is still too early to be sure. Majorities of Trump and Clinton supporters say their decision is firm.

COMMENT:  Read the whole thing.  The numbers are there.  We forget that the Republicans blew several opportunities in recent years to take the Senate because they put up some major-league clowns as candidates.  They finally did win control of the upper house when they got their act together.

The race for the White House is really just beginning, with primaries and caucuses weeks away.   Hillary Clinton is regarded as more dishonest than honest by American voters in many polls.  Republicans, give it your best shot.

December 10,  2015