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U.S. NEWSMonday 26 October 2015
AP-GfK Poll: Republicans view Donald Trump as most electable
STEVE PEOPLES Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump smiles as he election polls, both have a drop-off among the rest
EMILY SWANSON looks out on the crowd after taking the stage at the Jacksonville used divisive rhetoric in re- of the crowded 2016 Re-
The Associated Press Landing along the banks of the St. Johns River in Jacksonville, cent months that alienat- publican class. None of the
WASHINGTON (AP) — Re- Fla., on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2015. ed some minorities. Trump other candidates is viewed
publican voters view Don- called Mexican immigrants as electable in a general
ald Trump as their strongest (Bob Self/The Florida Times-Union/via AP) rapists and criminals during election by more than half
general election candi- his announcement speech; of Republican voters.
date, according to an As- from Vallejo, California. “I ning the Republican nomi- while Carson said he would Carson and Trump are the
sociated Press-GfK poll that think Trump is more elect- nation are often very differ- not support a Muslim presi- candidates most likely to
highlights the sharp con- able. He’s strong. We need ent tasks. The Republican dential candidate. receive positive ratings
trast between the party’s strength these days.” Party’s most conservative “Republicans think (Demo- from Republican voters,
voters and its top profes- Trump and Carson are con- voters — a group that is crat) Hillary (Rodham Clin- with 65 percent saying they
sionals regarding the bil- sidered among the least older and whiter than the ton) is weaker than she is. have a favorable opinion
lionaire businessman’s ulti- electable general election nation as a whole — wield They are wrong,” said Re- of Carson and 58 percent
mate political strength. candidates by the Repub- extraordinary influence in publican operative Katie saying the same of Trump.
Seven in 10 Republican lican Party’s professionals, picking the nominee. Inde- Packer, who was deputy Republicans are somewhat
and Republican-leaning those who are in the busi- pendents, moderate voters campaign manager for less excited about Bush,
registered voters say Trump ness of helping candidates and minorities are far more 2012 Republican nominee with 48 percent giving him
could win in November run campaigns and win important in general elec- Mitt Romney. “They think a favorable rating.
2016 if he is nominated, elections. tions that draw many more we don’t need to win more Trump and Bush have the
and that’s the most who Experienced political strat- people to the polls. women or more Hispanics highest negative ratings
say so of any candidate. egists note that winning a While Trump and Carson to win. They’re wrong.” within their own party: 37
By comparison, 6 in 10 say general election and win- are popular in primary Former Florida Gov. Jeb percent of Republican vot-
the same for retired neuro- Bush, who has embraced ers say they have an un-
surgeon Ben Carson, who, a welcoming tone with His- favorable opinion of Bush
like Trump, has tapped into panics, tops the field of ex- and 36 percent say the
the powerful wave of anti- perienced political leaders same of Trump.
establishment anger defin- on the question of elect- Their negatives are even
ing the early phases of the ability, running about even more pronounced among
2016 contest. with Carson and slightly be- the broader electorate.
“It’s the lifelong establish- hind Trump. The AP-GfK poll found
ment politicians on both Six in 10 Republicans say Trump is viewed unfavor-
sides that rub me the Bush could win the general ably by 57 percent of those
wrong way,” said regis- election and 54 percent surveyed, the highest neg-
tered Republican Joe Selig, say the same about Florida atives of any Republican
a 60-year-old carpenter Sen. Marco Rubio. There’s candidate. q
