A majority of Republican voters view only four of their party's presidential contenders as potential general election winners, according to an Associated Press-GfK poll that reflects the sustained strength of the GOP's outsider candidates.

Billionaire businessman Donald Trump is viewed as the strongest. Seven in 10 Republican and Republican-leaning registered voters say he could win in November 2016 if he captures his party's nomination. Six in 10 say the same for retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, who, like Trump, has tapped into the powerful wave of antiestablishment anger defining the early phases of the 2016 contest.

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush tops the field of experienced political leaders on the question of electability. Six in 10 Republicans say Bush could win the general election, followed by 54 percent who view Florida Sen. Marco Rubio as a potential winner. None of the other candidates is viewed as electable in a general election by more than half of Republican voters.

"It's the lifelong establishment politicians on both sides that rub me the wrong way," said registered Republican Joe Selig, a 60-year-old carpenter from Vallejo, California. "I think Trump is more electable. He's strong. We need strength these days."

While Trump and Carson are popular in primary election polls, both have used divisive rhetoric in recent months that alienated some minorities. Trump called Mexican immigrants rapists and criminals during his announcement speech, while Carson said he would not support a Muslim presidential candidate.

Among Republican voters, all the candidates except New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie have a net positive rating. Carson tops the list, followed by Rubio, former technology executive Carly Fiorina and then Trump.

pacino wrote:

Seven in 10 Republican and Republican-leaning registered voters say he could win in November 2016 if he captures his party's nomination.

drsmooth wrote:

pacino wrote:

Seven in 10 Republican and Republican-leaning registered voters say he could win in November 2016 if he captures his party's nomination.

I refuse to believe 70% of R-registered voters actually believe this. No large group of mammals is, collectively, this stupid.

My hunch is that this is the reporter's summary of the response(s) to one or more convoluted survey questions

pacino wrote:i get the sense the AP wrote up that writeup; they did the breakdown and didn't show us the work.

Jimmy Morales:
■An evangelical Protestant who is against abortion, same-sex marriage and legalised drugs
■Argues that his lack of experience is a virtue because he can make a completely fresh start when he comes into government
■His National Convergence Front party has deep ties to the military, which played a brutal role in Guatemala's 1960-1996 civil war
■Grew up in a poor family and has a degree in business administration
■Appeared in a comedy sketch show with his brother Sammy for 14 years

He also described himself as "a common man", adding: "I don't have super powers nor magic and I've never said I do, but my heart swells with love for this nation and together we're going to fight for her."

Mr Morales is a well-known comedian, who for 14 years starred in a popular TV comedy alongside his brother, Sammy Morales.

In the sketches, which are often lewd and coarse, he played everything from a hapless soldier to a country bumpkin.

For one character, he donned blackface and wore a prosthetic behind, triggering accusations of racism.

Women's and gay rights groups have also accused him of sexism and homophobia.

As his campaign manifesto was only six pages long, little is known about Mr Morales' policies, apart from favouring low taxes and limited government.

He has been criticised for some of his more far-fetched policies which include the tagging of teachers with a GPS device to ensure they attend classes and giving each Guatemalan child a smartphone.

He ran a campaign that was thin on specifics, backed by a political party founded by rightist military officers associated with Guatemala’s long, brutal civil war. As Mr. Morales climbed in the polls, promising change, many in the business elite threw their support behind him, including the powerful confederation known as Cacif and the owner of Guatemala’s broadcast television monopoly.

“What there is, is the implied force that goes with taking away your choice,” Paul (R-Ky.) said on TheBlaze radio network’s The Glenn Beck Program.

“Only the state tells you what you can do, it’s the most anti-choice economic system,” Paul said. “If you don’t listen, they fine you. If you don’t pay the fine, they imprison you. If you will not listen, ultimately, what has happened in history, people get mad when I say this, but they exterminate you. That’s what happened under Stalin.”

TenuredVulture wrote:It's Vitter (R) v. Edwards (D) for Louisian Gov, and I think Edwards is currently the favored candidate. Hmm.

Youseff wrote:Bernie will lead us to Stalin like mass exterminations says Rand Paul, trying out idiot his competition.

“What there is, is the implied force that goes with taking away your choice,” Paul (R-Ky.) said on TheBlaze radio network’s The Glenn Beck Program.

“Only the state tells you what you can do, it’s the most anti-choice economic system,” Paul said. “If you don’t listen, they fine you. If you don’t pay the fine, they imprison you. If you will not listen, ultimately, what has happened in history, people get mad when I say this, but they exterminate you. That’s what happened under Stalin.”

Youseff wrote:Bernie will lead us to Stalin like mass exterminations says Rand Paul, trying out idiot his competition.

“What there is, is the implied force that goes with taking away your choice,” Paul (R-Ky.) said on TheBlaze radio network’s The Glenn Beck Program.

“Only the state tells you what you can do, it’s the most anti-choice economic system,” Paul said. “If you don’t listen, they fine you. If you don’t pay the fine, they imprison you. If you will not listen, ultimately, what has happened in history, people get mad when I say this, but they exterminate you. That’s what happened under Stalin.”

Youseff wrote:

“What there is, is the implied force that goes with taking away your choice,” Paul (R-Ky.) said on TheBlaze radio network’s The Glenn Beck Program.

“Only the state tells you what you can do, it’s the most anti-choice economic system,” Paul said. “If you don’t listen, they fine you. If you don’t pay the fine, they imprison you. If you will not listen, ultimately, what has happened in history, people get mad when I say this, but they exterminate you. That’s what happened under Stalin.”

CHRISTIE: ... There is lawlessness in this country. The president encourages this lawlessness. He encourages it.

DICKERSON: Encourages it how?

CHRISTIE: By his own rhetoric. He does not support the police. He doesn’t back up the police. He justifies Black Lives Matter. I mean.

DICKERSON: Black Lives Matter shouldn’t be justified at all?

CHRISTIE: Listen, I don’t believe that that movement should be justified when they are calling for the murdering of police officers. No.

DICKERSON: But they aren’t calling for the murdering of police officers.

CHRISTIE: Sure they are. Sure they are. They’ve been chanting in the streets for the murdering of police officers.

DICKERSON: Well, individuals have. But the Black Lives Matter movement is about --

CHRISTIE: Listen, John, that’s what the movement is creating. And the president of the United States is justifying that. But not only that, he hasn’t backed up police officers from the minute he has gotten into office. We can cite instance after instance.