Opinions Trump is in a free fall -- for now
The magnitude of President Trumps polling collapse is breathtaking. The Post-ABC News poll in March showed his approval rating nudging into positive territory (48 percent approval vs. 46 percent disapproval); the latest poll released on Sunday shows him back in negative territory (45 percent to 53 percent). His personal favorability is net -13. His rating on handling the coronavirus has gone from a net +6 to a net -7.
Even more dramatically, from a statistical tie (49 percent to 47 percent) in March, former vice president Joe Bidens lead has soared to a 10-point lead (53 percent to 43 percent). Biden has an enormous approval advantage among groups critical to his victory. Currently, suburbanites are more favorable toward Biden than they were toward Clinton in May 2016, with Biden at 50 percent favorable compared with 38 percent who were favorable toward Clinton then.
The poll was completed before the extent of the reaction to George Floyds unjustified killing had played out. Nevertheless, there are several points worth stressing.
First, though intensity of support for Biden lags Trumps, the backlash provoked by Floyds killing could well increase the strength of Bidens support. A historic vice president pick might help generate more excitement, particularly if Biden selects a woman of color. In the current context, that could be seen as not just a rebuttal to the MAGA crowds racism but also a reminder to Democratic voters how critical is this election.
Second, while the Floyd killing underscored how entirely Trump lacks in leadership skills and empathy, no one knows five months before Election Day how this episode will unfold in the weeks and months ahead. Normally, a Republican might be able to tap into a backlash against violent protests, as Richard Nixon did in 1968. That worked, however, because a Democrat was in the White House. Trump cannot be the law-and-order president if the cities are on fire. So far, he looks weak and pitiful, utterly incapable of meeting the moment.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/opinion/opinions-trump-is-in-a-free-fall-for-now/ar-BB14SyNB?li=BBnb7Kz
idziak4ever1234
(1,257 posts)SCantiGOP
(13,869 posts)For various reasons, such as gay rights and abortion, but mainly because of something that happened 56 years ago - the signing of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
And their reasoning runs the spectrum from hardcore racism to an almost unperceived, but true, feeling that white middle class America is losing their monopoly on political and social power in this country.
BlueMTexpat
(15,366 posts)So much this!
lagomorph777
(30,613 posts)"Normally, a Republican might be able to tap into a backlash against violent protests, as Richard Nixon did in 1968. That worked, however, because a Democrat was in the White House."
Why he wants to associate himself with the 3rd most reviled President of the past 100 years is beyond me (#1: Trump: #2: Jr Bush #3: NIxon).