How to Tell If Donald Trump's Candidacy Is Getting Serious

One of America's leading public-opinion researchers says the real-estate mogul generates strong feelings—and has the potential to be a spoiler.

Donald Trump, president and chief executive of Trump Organization Inc., right, is greeted but his daughter Ivanka Trump while announcing he will seek the 2016 Republican presidential nomination at Trump Tower in New York, U.S., on Tuesday, June 16, 2015.
Photographer: Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg

Provide news feedback or report an error

Confidential tip?

Send a tip to our reporters

Site feedback:

Take our Survey

June 17, 2015 at 4:31 PM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

By J. Ann Selzer

Every so often in my role as a public-opinion researcher, I’m asked to sit down with a tableful of likely Republican caucus-goers to talk about various issues. Lately, Donald Trump’s name has been coming up. The businessman and TV personality inevitably gets a vote or two when I go around the table and ask what candidates are worthy of their support. Some Iowans are just seeking someone demonstrably competent at running big organizations. I culled through our trove of comments from focus groups held over the last few years.