Marco Rubio is exploding in a key early state
A new Monmouth University poll released on Monday showed real-estate tycoon Donald Trump still dominating in the Republican primary, with 26% support among likely GOP primary voters. He was followed by retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, who garnered 16% support in the same poll.
But Rubio has more-than tripled his support in the last month-plus. He has jumped from 4% support in September to 13% now, putting him just behind Carson.
Rubio led the other establishment-type candidates - including Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R), who came in fourth in the poll with 11%, and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R), who registered a distant sixth at just 7%.
The poll came on the heels of Rubio's widely praised performance during the third Republican debate.
"Marco Rubio's standout performance in the last debate seems to have paid dividends in a contest that was supposed to be dominated by his former mentor Jeb Bush," Monmouth University Polling director Patrick Murray said in a statement. "Rubio's newfound support seems to be a little softer than for other candidates at the front of the pack, but it is not particularly solid for anybody."
The poll also showed Rubio's favorability ratings rising.
According to Monmouth, 62% of likely Republican voters in the state have a favorable opinion of Rubio, compared to just 19% who saw him as unfavorable. The favorability rating is second only to Carson, and it indicates that Rubio still has plenty of room to grow - considering that the majority of voters have not made up their minds about who they are supporting.
Rubio's rising standing has clearly caught the attention several top candidates.
Last week, a Bush campaign PowerPoint presentation laid out the case against Rubio, noting several potential weaknesses - including a lack of executive experience and similarities to President Barack Obama.
"We need to offer a contrast to the current president. Hillary will pitch competence and experience. Marco is a GOP Obama," the slide says. "Rubio and President Obama have strikingly similar profiles: first-term senators, lawyers and university lecturers, served in part-time state legislatures for eight years, had few legislative accomplishments, and haven't shown much interest int he process of advancing legislation and getting results."
And on Sunday, Trump slammed Rubio in a series of tweets criticizing the senator's record on immigration reform, as well as his attendance record in Congress.