The latest CNN/ORC presidential poll, released Friday, shows Ted Cruz surging 12 points to take the number 2 position. While Trump continues to lead, Cruz's move represents a significant shift.
"These are really interesting and very, very good. These will actually give you a rumbly in your tumbly," joked a lighthearted Glenn during The Glenn Beck Program.
The national poll shows the top four candidates among registered Republicans and Republican-leaning Independents as Trump, Cruz, Carson and Rubio. The other candidates all polled below five percent.
Registered Republicans and Republican-leaning Independents
36% Donald Trump (up 9 points)
16% Ted Cruz (up 12 points)
14% Ben Carson (down 8 points)
12% Marco Rubio (up 4 points)
The poll reveals a sharp divide among Republicans by education:
Republican with College Degrees
22% Ted Cruz
19% Ben Carson
19% Marco Rubio
18% Donald Trump
Republicans without College Degrees
46% Donald Trump
12% Ted Cruz
11% Ben Carson
8% Marco Rubio
Another significant move is Carson going down in the polls, leaving people to wonder if he's reached his peak.
"I think what happened with Ben Carson was he laid back at those debates and didn't look forceful," Glenn said. "And then Paris happened. And when Paris happened, you're like, 'You know what, the world is changing. And this is only going to get more intense as we get closer to the election. We're going to need somebody very, very dynamic and somebody very, very clear and somebody that speaks as if they have the knowledge and experience needed and required.'"
Who else in the Republican field has the authoritative and decisive nature to take care of ISIS?
"I think Chris Christie and Ted Cruz [can]," Glenn suggested. "They're the ones that can wield the heavy stick on prosecution of ISIS, prosecution of a war. Is there anybody else? I think Marco Rubio. He just feels too young."
At the state level, Cruz also grabbed the number 2 spot in the latest New Hampshire poll for the first time. If he wins New Hampshire and Iowa then South Carolina should follow, putting him in prime position to win the nomination.
"He shouldn't be top three in New Hampshire," remarked Glenn on the significance of Cruz's move up. "I think it's going to be Cruz when it comes down to it. When you go in and you have to vote and you're looking at today's world, who do you think has the gravitas to really pull this off? Who is serious enough to be president of the United States in an Abraham Lincoln-style time?"
In Glenn's opinion, Ted Cruz not only has an excellent chance to win the nomination, but to be the president of the United States.
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Watch a segment from the program below:
Featured Image: Republican presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) speaks during the Sunshine Summit conference being held at the Rosen Shingle Creek on November 13, 2015 in Orlando, Florida. The summit brought Republican presidential candidates in front of the Republican voters. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)