The days when Donald Trump`s name may be preceded by the little "president"
may be getting closer, after new polls show him pulling even - or even surging ahead - of Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.
Two major polls released over the weekend showed the New York tycoon pulling past or into a statistical tie with the former secretary of state. It underscores a solidification of support around Mr Trump since he became the presumptive Republican nominee earlier this month.
In a Washington Post/ABC News poll voters indicated they now preferred Mr Trump to become America’s next president by 46 to 44 percent, the first time he has led in this poll.
Meanwhile, Ms Clinton’s lead in an NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll had all but disappeared, down to just 3 percentage points, a difference within the poll’s margin of error. In the same poll in April, Ms Clinton held an11-point advantage over Mr Trump, 50-39 percent, and she had led him by double digits since December.
The polls seemed to cement the momentum shift signaled by a pair of surveys last week showing Ms Clinton now trailing the billionaire.
Experts say the shift is likely the result of two factors. Since Mr Trump won the Indiana primary, forcing the remaining two Republicans Ted Cruz and John Kasich out of the race, Mr Trump has seen his numbers rise as the party establishment slowly, if painfully, begins to accept him as its candidate. His support among independent voters has also likely increased as they now seriously consider him as a prospect for the first time.
Independent