Iowa poll: After New Hampshire, Trump takes second place

CNN and Quinnipiac reports:

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker leads the pack in the Iowa Republican Caucus, but his support is shrinking among likely Republican Caucus participants, as six other contenders battle for second place, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. New Jersey Gov. Christopher Christie is in 15th place, with 1 percent.

Walker has 18 percent of likely GOP caucus participants, compared to 25 percent in a February 25 poll by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University and 21 percent in a May 6 survey.

Jostling for second place are Donald Trump and Ben Carson, at 10 percent each, U.S. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas at 9 percent each, former Gov. Jeb Bush of Florida at 8 percent and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida at 7 percent. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee has 5 percent. No other candidate is above 4 percent and 5 percent are undecided.

Trump and Bush top the "no way" list as 28 percent say they would definitely not support Trump and 24 percent say no to Bush. Christie is next on this negative list with 18 percent.

"Those who thought the Republican race in the Iowa caucuses might begin to clarify itself better think again," said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll. "As even more candidates toss their hats into the ring, the race has gotten even more muddled.

"Iowa front-runner Scott Walker, the governor of neighboring Wisconsin, remains in front, but his support continues to drop. Meanwhile, behind Walker are a half-dozen wannabes who are fighting for second place."

"In that second-place gaggle is newly declared candidate and billionaire businessman Donald Trump, whose early showing - he is getting one in 10 votes - worries many party leaders. They see him as a potentially disruptive force," Brown added.

The Donald is rising.