October 28, 2012 - Tonight's Republican presidential debate will feature a new front runner in Dr. Ben Carson as he and his rivals take the stage in Boulder , Colorado. For the first time this primary season Carson has topped a national poll, ending New York businessman Donald Trump's 100 consecutive days a top the polls.

In this new poll Carson has the support of 26% followed by Trump with 22%. Carson's surge to the lead follows three polls for the state of Iowa that show him leading Trump there.

In third place is Senator Marco Rubio of Florida with 8% followed by former Florida Governor Jeb Bush with 7%. Former CEO Carly Fiorina also bests Bush with 7%.

All bunched up at 4% each are Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky and Ohio Governor John Kasich.  Though not on the main debate stage tonight Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina comes in at 2% followed by New Jersey Governor Chris Christie at 1%. Former Senator Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania also scored at 1%.

Tonight's two hour debate will focus on the economy. There  will also be  under card debate for the those candidates who did not achieve an average of 3% in a sampling of national polls. The participants for that debate will be Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, former New York Governor George Pataki,Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and former Senator Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania.