1/10/2016 articles
Donald Trump is starting the New Year on top writes Chris Kahn, U.S. political polling editor for Thomson Reuters. “Trump continues to dominate the Republican field for the presidential nomination and is now pulling even with
Hillary Clinton in support among all voters.”
Trump vs. Clinton
“In a hypothetical head-to-head race, the real-estate tycoon and TV personality would be supported by 39% of likely general election voters, compared with 40% by Clinton, according to the latest 5-day average from the Friday, January 8, tracking poll.
The poll of 1,336 likely voters asked respondents who they would pick if the 2016 presidential was held between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. The answers: Clinton 40%; Trump 39%, Other 21%. The poll has a credibility interval of 3% which means that Trump and Clinton are in a statistical dead heat.”
Jeb Bush claims “Clinton would beat Trump like a drum.” Really?
The Republican Base and Other Voters
Nationally Trump currently leads with 41% support among Republican voters – more than double the support of Cruz, his nearest challenger, at 16%. Trump has appeal with other voters including women, born-again Christians, people who earn less than the national average income, and liberal leaning independents.
While Ted Cruz may or may not win the Iowa Caucus, Trump remains the clear GOP front-runner.
RNC Aiming to Widen the Base
“The Republican National Committee (RNC) has launched a new ad campaign by which they hope to attract fresh faces in order to put the party over the top as a new era begins to unfold, according to writer David Sherfinski, Washington Times, Jan. 8. GOP National Chairman, Reince Priebus, asserted: ‘Our effort to win the White House is fueled by the diverse and unique personal stories that motivate each and every individual to get involved in the political process.’
Since the 2012 presidential election, when President Obama won a second term with the help of huge margins among Hispanic and black voters, the GOP has worked hard to reverse those trend lines…the party needed to do a better job appealing to minority voters.”
Virginia GOP Puzzle? Republican National Committee Puzzle?
Why is the Virginia GOP insisting that voters in the upcoming Virginia primary sign pledges that they are Republican before they are allowed to vote? This would eliminate the independents, other minority voters, and even dissatisfied Democrats – the very voters that the GOP wants to attract. Even Republicans might be offended.
Republican ‘leadership’ has a long tradition of “throwing out the baby with the bathwater.” This is destroying the opportunity to expand the base. This is GOP self-destruction and has been going on for years. Witness the defeats.
The RNC campaign is dedicating $300,000 for television ads to be played during the GOP debate in South Carolina. How many viewers mute their TV or turn to another station when the ads appear?
“Donald Trump is a genuine phenomenon according to former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Washington Times, Jan. 7. The Art of the Deal written by Mr. Trump in 1987 is a classic among American business books…reporters and analysts who are trying to understand Mr. Trump would be well served by reading this book…Mr. Trump knows a lot, but what is amazing is how rapidly he figures out what he doesn’t know.”