In a stark warning for Donald Trump as he eyes a possible general election showdown with Hillary Clinton, Americans trust the Democratic front-runner more than the Republican businessman to handle a wide range of issues – from immigration to health care to nominating Supreme Court justices.
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“There’s a sizable distaste for Trump among Virginia Republican voters”, Rachel Bitecofer, director of the Wason Center Survey Research Lab, said in a written statement.
In October of 2014, some 22 percent of Republicans and 34 percent of self-identified conservatives reported an unfavorable view of the GOP.
However, despite public opinion on the billionaire, Trump remains as a frontrunning candidate in the Republican race.
Trump – who has long led in GOP national polls – is under increased pressure to clinch the nomination, following a series of campaign missteps, and a loss in the Wisconsin primary, increasing the likelihood of a contested convention in Cleveland.
Clinton’s campaign believes Trump’s sky-high unfavorable ratings could offset some questions voters have about her own character, and perhaps even give her a chance to peel off some Republicans who can’t stomach a vote for the real estate mogul.
“I’d be willing to take that as opposed to doing so much harm to the country’s reputation”, said Glaves, 29.
Democrats in the key swing state are far less likely to defect if Clinton is the nominee, with just 9 percent saying they would vote for someone else or stay home on Election Day, according to a Christopher Newport University survey released Thursday.
One group that is still with him includes those who describe themselves as both Republicans and supporters of the tea party movement. Republican and Democrat voters cast their ballots in Wauwatosa, Wis., during the state’s presidential primary. Sixty-eight percent of them have a favorable view.
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The poll was based on 1,167 interviews of registered Virginia voters, contacted via land lines and cell phones between March 23 and April 3. GfK provides Internet access to participants who don’t already have it. With a probability basis and coverage of people who otherwise couldn’t access the Internet, online surveys using KnowledgePanel are nationally representative.
