Donald Trump
Donald Trump Reuters

Donald Trump is dominating a new Republican presidential nominee poll released by Public Policy Polling.

He leads with 26 percent, followed by Mike Huckabee at 17 percent, Mitt Romney at 15 percent, Newt Gingrich at 11 percent, Sarah Palin at 8 percent, Ron Paul at 5 percent, Tim Pawlenty at 4 percent, and Michele Bachmann at 4 percent.

He’s margin is so wide over runner-up Huckabee that it exceeds the total individual percentages for each of Palin, Paul, Pawlenty, and Bachmann.

With Trump now grabbing a commanding first place lead, he may very well be the GOP presidential nominee come 2012.

Trump’s recent unofficial presidential media appearances has upset many people, including some conservatives.

The media, even though it has given him plenty of attention, has also been critical of him.

Members of the conservative media have questioned his seriousness in running for President and challenged his repeated mentioning of the ‘birther’ issue. Liberal media openly mocks him and has resorted to name-calling.

Political analysts don’t like Trump’s chances, either. Some cite his string of corporate bankruptcies and other potential skeletons in the closet.

However, Trump – who has obviously struck a chord with potential GOP primary voters – just keeps on defying expectations and climbing in polls.

Many of his supporters like the fact that he’s raising the birther issue. Others are drawn by his tough and hawkish foreign policy.

“A lot of GOP voters have not been happy with their choice of candidates and Trump is filling that void, at least for the moment,” said Dean Debnam, President of Public Policy Polling.