August 02, 2015
While Donald Trump continues to dominate, Chris Christie just barely makes it in for a coveted spot in Thursday's Republican debate on FOX News, according to the latest Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll.
The New Jersey governor is tied in ninth place with Ohio Governor John Kasich in the poll released Sunday, with 3.2 percent of respondents picking him as their first choice for president.
If that number ends up reflecting the national average of the country's top five polls (which determines what 10 candidates get a spot), Christie would qualify for the primetime debate at 9 p.m. on August 6. The closest challenger in Sunday's poll to Christie and Kasich is former Texas Governor Rick Perry with 2.6 percent.
Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum is behind Perry with 1.4 percent of the vote. Candidates who do not qualify for the primetime event will be able to participate in a televised debate at 5 p.m. Thursday, also on FOX News.
Sitting at the top is businessman and reality television star Donald Trump, who continues to surge in nearly every national poll. Some of his comments on the campaign trail have been deemed controversial, yet his blunt style has given him a rapid rise in the polls.
Coming in second in the poll is Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker (15 percent ) with former Florida Governor Jeb Bush in third (14 percent).
The candidates who qualify for the main debate will be announced on Tuesday, August 4.
The Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll was conducted from July 26-30 and surveyed 252 Republican primary voters. It had a margin of error of 6.17 percentage points.
