The race is heating up between Donald Trump and Ted Cruz, both Republicans seeking the party's 2016 presidential nomination. But it appears that the fight is getting worse with the two resorting to personal attacks against each other.
The fierce fight between the two was no more evident than their sorties in Iowa. This is their first test on their long journey to win the party's nomination.
Unfortunately, their war of words seems to be alienating their supporters.
Trump, on an interview with Fox News said: "Ted's not a person that's liked. He's a nasty guy." He has been saying such things to the senator for days.
Early this month, long-time Republican members have voiced out their fears that the party is facing an unprecedented split because of its basic identity and principles. This is triggered by a number of factors including ethnic resentments, the emergence of class tensions and growing mistrust in the working class. Those concerned are seeking for a nominee who will truly represent their interests.
Such tenor of talks is being over heard in conference calls, at family dinners, private lunches and in New Year's Eve parties. One common thread is that the coming election may spell the break-up of the party, or it may reshape it in ways that it wouldn't be the way it is like before.
A number of surveys that were conducted seem to indicate that Trump and Cruz are fighting for the same voting bloc. Supporters of Trump consider Cruz as their second choice and vice versa.
For instance, a survey conducted by Bloomberg Politics/Des Moines Register revealed that 25 percent of Cruz advocates see Trump as their second choice, while 47 percent of Trump supporters have Cruz as their number 2.
The rest of the party is spread out among the rest of the GOP hopefuls.
