Inside Trump s GOP: Not what you think July National Phone Survey & Factor Analysis from April Battleground Phone Survey July 2018
Methodology: July national phone survey. Democracy Corps and Greenberg Research conducted a national survey of 1,003 registered voters via live telephone interviews between July 19-26, 2018. Margin of error is +/- 3.1 percentage points at the 95 percent confidence level. Margin of error is higher among subgroups. Factor analysis of April battleground phone survey. On behalf of Democracy Corps, Catalist has conducted a factor analysis on Republican and independent leaning Republican registered voters in a 12 state battleground (AZ, CO, FL, GA, MN, MI, NV, NM, OH, PA, TN, WI) conducted in April 2018 on behalf of WVWVAF, focusing on a battery of feeling thermometers. 1
Key findings: conventional wisdom is wrong about the GOP base Trump s base strategy is building anti-trump energy among Democrats but is also maxed out among the GOP base, which is deeply fractured. Trump s red meat policy priorities and confrontational campaign rallies only energize the1/2 of the GOP base formed by Evangelical conservatives and Tea Party supporters who are Trump loyalists. The other half of the GOP the Catholic conservative, secular conservatives, and moderate Republicans are physically bothered by what they see and less determined to vote in 2018. Trump has created an opportunity to peel off these less enthusiastic Republicans. Moderates and secular conservatives, particularly the women and millennials, are a huge target for progressive messages in the next 90 days. 2
Key findings: opportunity to demoralize & peel off parts of GOP The GOP is united on issues like immigration, foreignness, military strength & respect for the American flag. But they are deeply divided on abortion, the environment and climate change, tax cuts, and the state Medicaid expansion for working people. The less enthusiastic Republicans, particularly the women, are also fractured from the Trump loyalists on issues like whether the government should play a bigger role in ensuring everyone quality healthcare, ensuring affordable child care, and ensuring the rich pay their fair share of taxes. The Mueller investigation is also an opportunity for further demoralization: a significant number of Republicans say that if Trump s team lied about conspiring with Russians or if Trump obstructed justice, there must be accountability.. 3
Less Enthusiastic GOP 53% Trump Loyalists 47% Composition of the GOP base Evangelical Conservatives 26% Tea Party 21% Catholic Conservatives 16% Secular Conservatives 16% Moderates 20% 71% Strong approve Trump 66% 10 s enthusiasm 80% Likely Voters 55% Men 21% Millennial 69% Working class 70% Married 61% Non-metro area 48% South 50% Strong approve Trump 50% 10 s enthusiasm 72% Likely voters 51% Men 28% Millennial 61% Working class 55% Married 56% Non-metro area 41% South Rep 39% Ind. 11% Dem 48% Democrats 80% Strong disapprove Trump 59% 10 s enthusiasm 67% Likely voters 60% Women 39% Millennial 58% working class 54% Unmarried 60% Metro area 4
The moderates & liberals in the GOP base Republicans Conservative 69% Liberal 6% Moderate 26% Moderate & Liberal Republicans 63% Strong approve Trump 46% 10 s enthusiasm 75% Trump in 2016 69% Likely Voters 51% Men 29% Millennial 56% Working class 61% Married 54% Non-metro area 43% South 5
THE TIES THAT BIND 6
Immigration stance unites, not divides GOP Please rate your feelings toward some people, organizations, and concepts, with one hundred meaning a VERY WARM, FAVORABLE feeling; zero meaning a VERY COLD, UNFAVORABLE feeling; and fifty meaning not particularly warm or cold. Immigrants to the U.S. 66.4 Net: +40 Very warm (75-100) Very cool (0-25) 74.7 Net: +59 55.0 Net: +16 55.5 Net: +18 57 70 42 54 14 8 11 17 42 42 31 26 23 21 26 24 Total Democrats Trump Loyalists Less Enthusiastic GOP 7
All GOP agree on English and foreignness Please rate your feelings toward some people, organizations, and concepts, with one hundred meaning a VERY WARM, FAVORABLE feeling; zero meaning a VERY COLD, UNFAVORABLE feeling; and fifty meaning not particularly warm or cold. English as the official American language 93.9 Net: +92 93 90 Very warm (75-100) Very cool (0-25) 89.3 Net: +84 Coming in contract with those who speaking little English 50.4 Net: +3 50.1 Net: +3 89 81 35 33 26 20 1 6 25 24 32 30 Trump Loyalists Less Enthusiastic GOP Trump Loyalists Less Enthusiastic GOP 8
White identity important for all today s GOP Please rate your feelings toward some people, organizations, and concepts, with one hundred meaning a VERY WARM, FAVORABLE feeling; zero meaning a VERY COLD, UNFAVORABLE feeling; and fifty meaning not particularly warm or cold. 62.3 Net: +26 Preventing discrimination against white people Very warm (75-100) Very cool (0-25) 48.9 Net: -3 81.0 Net: +65 74.4 Net: +52 51 43 22 25 Total 36 29 35 39 Democrats 74 68 65 55 9 13 Trump Loyalists Less Enthusiastic GOP 9
Military strength and patriotism important for all GOP Please rate your feelings toward some people, organizations, and concepts, with one hundred meaning a VERY WARM, FAVORABLE feeling; zero meaning a VERY COLD, UNFAVORABLE feeling; and fifty meaning not particularly warm or cold. Ensuring peace through military strength Disrespecting the American flag 89.7 0 Net: +89 Very warm (75-100) Very cool (0-25) 81.7 Net: +75 31.6 Net: -38 33.5 Net: -31 89 82 79 66 29 31 28 29 Trump Loyalists Less Enthusiastic GOP 65 61 67 62 Trump Loyalists Less Enthusiastic GOP 10
GOP united against Obamacare Please rate your feelings toward some people, organizations, and concepts, with one hundred meaning a VERY WARM, FAVORABLE feeling; zero meaning a VERY COLD, UNFAVORABLE feeling; and fifty meaning not particularly warm or cold. 49.7 Net: +6 46 ACA or Obamacare Very warm (75-100) Very cool (0-25) 73.7 Net: +65 76 17.7 Net: -73 24.7 Net: -58 29 51 9 14 33 40 11 74 59 Total Democrats 82 72 Trump Loyalists Less Enthusiastic GOP 11
POINTS OF DIVISION 12
Dimensions of GOP thinking: Catalist factor analysis Trump Fox News Dimension Gay Marriage Christianity Dimension Pro- Pro- Democratic Government Pro-government Party Dimension Dimension Darker yellow bars denote shared pattern of variation across question responses for each dimension. 13
Fox News key to Trump-Fox GOP, but ½ not enthusiastic Please rate your feelings toward some people, organizations, and concepts, with one hundred meaning a VERY WARM, FAVORABLE feeling; zero meaning a VERY COLD, UNFAVORABLE feeling; and fifty meaning not particularly warm or cold. 42.0 Net: -14 34 15 21 10 39 48 Total Very warm (75-100) Very cool (0-25) 24.3 Net: -57 62 72 Democrats FOX News 73.8 Net: +62 72 58.0 Net: +22 49 51 28 7 17 10 27 Trump Loyalists Less Enthusiastic GOP 14
NRA key to Tea Party base, but lose the less enthusiastic women Please rate your feelings toward some people, organizations, and concepts, with one hundred meaning a VERY WARM, FAVORABLE feeling; zero meaning a VERY COLD, UNFAVORABLE feeling; and fifty meaning not particularly warm or cold. 49.3 Net: -1 40 31 34 41 Total 24.0 Net: -55 12 58 67 Democrats N.R.A. Very warm (75-100) Very cool (0-25) 88.8 Net: +89 92 81 3 Trump Loyalists 73.4 Net: +56 74 56 59 39 12 9 18 15 Men Less Enthusiastic GOP 67.0 Net: +41 Women 15
Trump s GOP split wide open by abortion Please rate your feelings toward some people, organizations, and concepts, with one hundred meaning a VERY WARM, FAVORABLE feeling; zero meaning a VERY COLD, UNFAVORABLE feeling; and fifty meaning not particularly warm or cold. 24.4 Net: -53 16 12 65 69 Trump Loyalists Abortion being legal in most cases Very cool (0-25) 44.1 Net: -13 34 44 24 29 38 47 Less Enthusiastic GOP 54.6 Net: +8 23 36 Moderates 25.1 Net: -53 17 31 44 14 17 26 62 70 Trump Loyalists Planned Parenthood Very warm (75-100) 42.9 Net: -11 36 42 Less Enthusiastic GOP 56.5 Net: +18 21 26 Moderates * Moderates are just 8% of the respondents in this survey. 16
Environment and climate seriously divide the GOP Please rate your feelings toward some people, organizations, and concepts, with one hundred meaning a VERY WARM, FAVORABLE feeling; zero meaning a VERY COLD, UNFAVORABLE feeling; and fifty meaning not particularly warm or cold. Environmentalists Very warm (75-100) Measures to prevent global warming Very cool (0-25) 67.0 79.4 46.4 55.4 62.1 76.5 36.8 49.0 Net: +42 Net: +69 Net: -10 Net: +21 Net: +28 Net: +56 Net: -24 Net:+ 2 60 44 13 18 77 62 8 32 45 20 24 29 17 42 24 54 71 42 63 20 11 15 26 23 38 12 20 42 27 47 36 Total Democrats Trump Loyalists Less Enthusiastic GOP Total Democrats Trump Loyalists Less Enthusiastic GOP 17
Some in GOP want more government help with childcare and more Please rate your feelings toward some people, organizations, and concepts, with one hundred meaning a VERY WARM, FAVORABLE feeling; zero meaning a VERY COLD, UNFAVORABLE feeling; and fifty meaning not particularly warm or cold. Government assistance with childcare & the cost of college 42.1 Net: -13 29 34 13 21 32 33 27 19 42 Very warm (75-100) Very cool (0-25) 49.6 Net: +1 33 60.9 Net: +32 55 23 Trump Loyalists Men Less Enthusiastic GOP Women 18
Trump base anti-government, but others strongly want to tax the rich Please rate your feelings toward some people, organizations, and concepts, with one hundred meaning a VERY WARM, FAVORABLE feeling; zero meaning a VERY COLD, UNFAVORABLE feeling; and fifty meaning not particularly warm or cold. Raising taxes on those making over $250,000 a year so they pay their fair share Very warm (75-100) More government regulation of business Very cool (0-25) 46.0 Net: -7 36 28 28 39 39 36 43 39 Trump Loyalists 48.9 Net: +6 45 49 Men 60.3 Net: +22 23 27 Women Less Enthusiastic GOP 62.4 Net: -64 14 10 11 69 18 78 Trump Loyalists 64.9 Net: -61 71 Men 53.4 Net: -36 16 43 52 Women Less Enthusiastic GOP 19
How divided? 1 in 10 GOP would vote third party in 2020 today Thinking about the election for President in 2020, would you vote for Republican Donald Trump, the Democratic candidate, or T hird Party Independent candidate John Kasich? 3-WAY 2020 BALLOT Democratic Candidate Republican Donald Trump Independent John Kasich 79 91 75 62 54 4 6 7 10 1 4 10 20 10 25 total GOP Evan/TP Cath/Sec/Mod Men Cath/Sec/Mod Women Moderates Trump Men Women Republicans Moderates Loyalists Less Enthusiastic GOP * Moderates are just 8% of the respondents in this survey. 20
Russia indictment could push many across GOP base demand accountability Now I am going to read something that could happen, and I want you to tell me how you would respond. Last week, the Special Counsel Robert Mueller indicted 12 Russian military intelligence officers for criminally hacking into the computer systems of the Democratic Party and Clinton campaign. Imagine next month the Special Counsel indicts core leaders of the Trump campaign, including its former campaign chairman Paul Manafort and Donald Trump, Jr., for criminally cooperating with the Russians. Imagine Counsel Mueller also issues a final report to Congress that concludes that President Trump obstructed justice by firing the FBI Director, attacking federal investigators and pushing House allies to end all investigations into Russian interference. Trump Loyalists Less Enthusiastic GOP 37% of Republicans 33 18 28 24 21 18 8 7 3 3 12 7 There should be accountability I'm outraged What an embarrassment It is time to move on Fake news! Stop disrespecting the President 21
Trump: anti-trump reaction with Dems and modest outside base Do you approve or disapprove of the way Donald Trump is handling his job as President? TRUMP APPROVAL Strong approve Strong disapprove +16 +82 +88 +51 +41 40 93 73 68 27 8 71 50 42 47 56 80 5 22 27 Total 90 Democrats Trump Loyalists Less Enthusiastic GOP Less Enthusiastic GOP Women 22
Trump base strategy works with his loyalists, but no impact on rest How interested are you in the elections in November? Please rate your interest from 1 to 10, with 1 meaning that you have no interest in this election and 10 meaning that you are extremely interested. CHANGE IN %10 INTEREST IN ELECTION +2 +7 +15 +1 57 59 50 57 51 66 49 50 April July April July April July April July Democrats Republicans Trump Loyalists Less Enthusiastic GOP 23
Helsinki hurt Trump; only majority approve among loyalists Trump and President Putin of Russia held a meeting and joint press conference last week in Helsinki. Do you approve or disapprove of what of what President Trump said in the press conference after the meeting? +30 TRUMP APPROVAL: HELSINKI PRESS CONFERENCE Strongly Approve +77 +43 Strongly Disapprove +14 25 13 45 55 4 73 81 61 38 18 45 23 18 31 Total Democrats Trump Loyalists Less Enthusiastic GOP 24
Major base policies get barely 40 percent support (ASKED OF GOP ONLY) Now I am going to read you some things being proposed by President Trump and the REPUBLICANS as part of their plan to make America better. After each item, please tell me whether that policy makes you feel more positive, less positive or if it makes no difference to how you feel about their plan. No GOP POLICY PRIORITIES All Republicans difference End the state Medicaid expansion that covers low wage workers Repeal the federal regulations that allow women to know whether they face pay discrimination Cut taxes for corporations Create a conservative majority on the Supreme Court that will overturn Roe v. Wade that made abortion legal. Reduce environmental regulations and fuel efficiency standards to increase manufacturing & car production Create a conservative majority on the Supreme Court to overturn the pre-existing conditions mandate in ACA. Close our borders to protect workers from unfair competition from illegal immigrants Shift energy policy to promote greater coal mining and oil exploration off America's coasts Put tariffs on foreign imports to close the trade deficit with China and Europe Repeal Obamacare and allow states to offer lower cost plans Require Medicaid and food stamp recipients to prove they have or are looking for work 90 87 76 70 72 67 Much more positive 17 16 54 51 57 45 41 14 21 23 20 16 20 19 19 13 65 68 57 39 43 31 41 24 27 30 21 Somewhat more positive 3 12 7 18 15 14 25 23 22 27 26 +21 +23 +16 +19 +18 +10 +7 +13 +12 +5 +5 25
1/3 turn against GOP corporate tax cuts & abortion (ASKED OF GOP ONLY) Now I am going to read you some things being proposed by President Trump and the REPUBLICANS as part of their plan to make America better. After each item, please tell me whether that policy makes you feel more positive, less positive or if it makes no difference to how you feel about their plan. No GOP POLICY PRIORITIES Less Enthusiastic GOP difference Much more positive Somewhat more positive Cut taxes for corporations Create a conservative majority on the Supreme Court that will overturn Roe v. Wade that made abortion legal End the state Medicaid expansion that covers low wage workers Reduce environmental regulations and FES to increase manufacturing & car production Repeal the federal regulations that allow women to know whether they face pay discrimination Create a conservative majority on the Supreme Court to overturn the pre-existing conditions mandate in ACA. Shift energy policy to promote greater coal mining and oil exploration off America's coasts Close our borders to protect workers from unfair competition from illegal immigrants Put tariffs on foreign imports to close the trade deficit with China and Europe Repeal Obamacare and allow states to offer lower cost plans Require Medicaid and food stamp recipients to prove they have or are looking for work 88 82 68 68 62 44 61 22 42 49 19 43 41 16 13 21 27 19 13 18 17 17 48 57 59 25 28 22 24 33 32 32 20 11 4 22 20 16 27 26 24 34 31 28 +18 +22 +25 +21 +23 +10 +15 +11 +15 +6 +5 26
4-in-10 less enthusiastic women against GOP corporate cuts + (ASKED OF GOP ONLY) Now I am going to read you some things being proposed by President Trump and the REPUBLICANS as part of their plan to make America better. After each item, please tell me whether that policy makes you feel more positive, less positive or if it makes no difference to how you feel about their plan. No GOP POLICY PRIORITIES Less Enthusiastic GOP Women difference Much more positive Somewhat more positive Cut taxes for corporations Create a conservative majority on the Supreme Court that will overturn Roe v. Wade that made abortion legal Reduce environmental regulations and FES to increase manufacturing & car production End the state Medicaid expansion that covers low wage workers Create a conservative majority on the Supreme Court to overturn the pre-existing conditions mandate in ACA Shift energy policy to promote greater coal mining and oil exploration off America's coasts Repeal the federal regulations that allow women to know whether they face pay discrimination Close our borders to protect workers from unfair competition from illegal immigrants Put tariffs on foreign imports to close the trade deficit with China and Europe Repeal Obamacare and allow states to offer lower cost plans Require Medicaid and food stamp recipients to prove they have or are looking for work 89 82 66 63 60 62 46 23 42 44 46 30 39 19 22 17 24 12 25 13 14 19 42 53 49 27 27 31 29 24 21 28 13 10 4 24 21 26 19 29 23 33 30 42 +14 +20 +22 +22 +11 +11 +22 +11 +16 +10 +6 27
Democrats blue wave still depends on enthusiasm gap Thinking about the election for Congress in your district in November 2018, will you vote for -- the Democratic candidate or the Republican candidate? How certain are you that you would vote for the (CANDIDATE) -- are you very certain, somewhat certain or not certain at all? Weak Rep Strong Rep Weak Dem Strong Dem +9 +13 CONGRESSIONAL VOTE +11 +4 48 52 51 47 31 39 36 34 24 29 28 29 39 39 40 43 Total 10 s in Interest (57%) Almost Certain to Vote (75%) Likely Voter (69%) 28
GOP underperforming with white college men & women + working class women Thinking about the election for Congress in your district in November 2018, will you vote for -- the Democratic candidate or the Republican candidate? How certain are you that you would vote for the (CANDIDATE) -- are you very certain, somewhat certain or not certain at all? 48 17 78 55 63 CONGRESSIONAL VOTE Strong Republican Weak Republican Strong Democrat Weak Democrat +9 +66 +33 +2 +42 +22 +9 +23 +9 +7 54 48 33 28 26 42 36 24 14 19 20 26 26 12 21 39 32 39 34 39 47 57 48 40 27 23 13 44 60 47 20 31 49 Total African American Hispanic Millennial White Millennial White College Women White College Men White Working Class Women White Working Class Men Seniors 29
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