Fearful that Donald Trump’s nomination may cost them the White House, skeptic Republican leaders got their first scare after a new poll showed the presumptive nominee lagging way behind Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton.
Although Trump has received highest number of primary votes, the businessman’s blunt rhetoric against Latinos and Muslims has made it difficult for many of the GOP leaders to rally around him.
A combined CNN/ORC Poll that was completed before Trump’s decisive win in Indiana, gives Clinton a 13-point lead over the real-estate tycoon whose entry into the presidential race 11 months ago was laughed off by many political analysts.
Ohio Governor John Kasich followed suit hours after Texan Senator Ted Cruz ended his campaign, clearing the path for Trump and leaving a possible contested convention virtually irrelevant.
Clinton’s Party rival Bernie Sanders wronged polls to edge pass her by five points and give himself yet another reason to stay in the race. While he may grab a few more states during the remaining contests, many believe the presidential race has but ended for the veteran Senator from Vermont. A Clinton-Trump contest has already begun.
The CNN/ORC Poll released a day after the Indiana primary gave Clinton her largest lead over Trump since last July with 54 percent compared with 41 percent for her Republican rival. But, while voters find Clinton more trusted on many issues, they gave Trump preference with 50 percent to 41 percent for Clinton in handling the economy which, they believed, was very important to their vote for president.
The former first lady beats Trump on many other issues – Terrorism (Clinton 50 percent to 45 percent for Trump); Immigration (51 percent to 44 percenta0; health care (55 percent to 39 percent); the income gap (54% to 37 percent); foreign policy (61 percent to 36 percent); education (61 percent to 34 percent); and climate change (63 percent to 30 percent).
While both candidates are highly unfavorable with voters, Clinton fares better than Trump. With 49 percent each, voters are evenly split when asked if they view Clinton favorably or unfavorably. For Trump, 56 percent had an unfavorable view as against 41 percent who saw him favorably.
Interestingly, both candidates have supporters who went on the opposite side only because they hated the other. As many as 51 percent of Clinton’s supporters said they preferred the former secretary of state as they opposed Trump. For Trump, 57 percent supported him only because they don’t want to Clinton to win.
Both contenders are trying to woo supporters of their rival candidates which could play a key role in deciding who wins the November election for the Oval Office.
After her big win in Pennsylvania earlier this month, Clinton said during her victory speech that “there is much more that unites us than divides us”. While, there was a concern among Democrats Sander’s ardent supporters will not back Clinton, the CNN/ORC poll showed the number was less significant. Only 10 percent of those who supported Sanders in the primary said they would back Trump.
Unlike Clinton, who has an overwhelming support of her party’s superdelegates, Trump has until now faced a staunch opposition from his party’s stalwarts, such as Mitt Romney. “Thanks to @tedcruz for making a fight for conservatism, American leadership and freedom,” tweeted Mr. Romney after Cruz dropped out.
Many are grappling with the question whether those who opposed Trump, such as supporters of “Never Trump” campaign – a movement within the Republican party which wanted to stop its own front-runner, will ever rally around their own party’s nominee.
A Washington Post report, quoting spokesmen of two living Republican past presidents – George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush – said the two had no plans to endorse Trump.
But some Republicans have expressed willingness to back Trump.
That fear of friction within the party over Trump was amply evident in a tweet by Reince Priebus, the chairman of the Republican National Committee, after the Indiana’s results. “.@realDonaldTrump will be presumptive @GOP nominee, we all need to unite and focus on defeating @HillaryClinton #NeverClinton”.
