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Survey USA poll in CA: Trump up by eight over Cruz
Hot Air ^ | April 5, 2016 | Ed Morrissey

Posted on 04/06/2016 12:32:40 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet

In order to get to 1,237 delegates before the convention, Donald Trump needs to sweep both New York and California primaries. That may not be much of a problem in New York, as Trump dominates the field in the RCP average by 32 points, and gets the majority he needs for a winner-take-all haul of the statewide delegates in all four recent polls. With that kind of lead, it’s difficult to imagine Trump losing any of the delegates from Congressional districts in New York, so he should get all 95 delegates.

California, however, looks like a much different story. It has 172 delegates at stake, 159 in the CDs, and Trump needs most of these to get to the majority required to win on the first ballot. According to SurveyUSA, though, his lead in the Golden State isn’t anywhere near as dominating as on his home turf:

Extremely unscripted Donald Trump is viewed extremely unfavorably by half of California’s registered voters and by 15% of Republicans most likely to vote in the state’s 06/07/16 GOP Primary, according to research just completed by SurveyUSA for television stations KABC in Los Angeles, KPIX in San Francisco, KGTV in San Diego, and KFSN in Fresno. 71% of CA women and 75% of CA Latinos view Trump negatively today. But even with this anchor tied to his foot, Trump at this hour continues to lead Ted Cruz, though narrowly, among likely Republican primary voters.

Today, it’s Trump 40%, Cruz 32%, John Kasich 17%. Trump still leads among women, though his comments about women, and his staff’s treatment of women, were in the news during the field period for this survey. Among moderates, Kasich and Trump run effectively even in the GOP Primary, 35% for Trump to 34% for Kasich, with Cruz at 10%. Among those who say they are “somewhat conservative,” Cruz leads Trump 44% to 38%. But among those who are “very conservative,” Trump leads Cruz 45% to 38%. Among primary voters with an “extremely positive” view of Trump, Trump defeats Cruz 8:1. Among those who are “neutral” on Trump, Cruz leads Trump 4:3. And among those who have an “extremely negative” view of Trump, Cruz defeats Trump 10:1. The contest is fluid; much could change between now and 06/07/16. To win all 172 of California’s delegates to the Republican National Convention, Trump, Cruz, or Kasich would need to carry every one of CA’s 53 Congressional Districts.

The sample size for the GOP primary is on the thin side at 356. Oddly, this is mid-range for other California polling in the recent RCP list. The gap in the SUSA poll is about the same as in the RCP average, too, at eight points. although this is the only poll that puts Trump at 40%. The poll with the largest sample size was Smith Johnson Research’s survey from early March (454 likely voters), which only had Trump up by five.

Interestingly, Trump leads by 15 points in the greater Los Angeles area, putting him in position to carry a number of CDs and grab those delegates. But Cruz has a 13-point lead in the Inland Empire region, suggesting that he’ll win some of those districts and delegates too. For good measure, Kasich leads in the Bay area 43/36, the only region in which he’s competitive, and might come away with a few delegates as well.

How does that impact the trajectory of the race? It depends on the projection. The Frontloading HQ projection from mid-March had Trump on pace to win 1279 delegates — but that depended on a total sweep of Wisconsin and California. However, that projection only had Trump winning 63 delegates in New York, almost certainly an underestimate of his strength. Nate Silver’s roundup of analysts a week later gave Trump 71 NY delegates, but also 25 from Wisconsin and 93 from California. That puts Trump short of the nomination by a mere 29 delegates:

If Trump does, in fact, get 1,208 delegates, he still might win on a first ballot. He would need only a fraction of the delegates that are currently unbound (or will be unbound) to reach 1,237.

Who exactly are these unbound or uncommitted delegates? Some, like the six from the Virgin Islands, were elected by voters to be “uncommitted,” but they may commit to a candidate closer to the convention. Others, like the 54 Pennsylvania district delegates, are automatically unbound and have been elected as unbound for decades (see: when Gerald Ford beat Ronald Reagan in the 1976 primary). These delegates are free to choose whichever candidate they want on all ballots.4 In addition, some delegates from candidates who have withdrawn from the race may become available to Trump, depending on the state’s rules. Although it’s hard to know Trump’s exact chance of getting 29 delegates from this group, Trump probably would have a decent shot at reaching 1,237.

Last week, I posited that such a slim margin would likely convince enough unbound delegates to throw in with Trump, too. But that depends on Trump winning a lot of CDs in California, as well as getting big hauls in Indiana and tonight in Wisconsin, too. So far, polling in Wisconsin and California doesn’t necessarily demonstrate confidence in that outcome.

Of this, there is little doubt: the nomination will come down to the wire. And if recent California polling turns out to be accurate, we’re very likely to have the first multi-ballot convention in almost 70 years.


TOPICS: California; New York; Campaign News; Polls
KEYWORDS: 2016election; california; cruz; edmorrissey; election2016; hotair; newyork; tedcruz; trump

1 posted on 04/06/2016 12:32:40 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

From this article, it would appear Trump will get to 1237, or, falling a few short, he can turn to unbound delegates to make up the difference.

At least that’s what the article makes it sound like.


2 posted on 04/06/2016 12:44:08 AM PDT by dp0622 (The only thing an upper crust conservative hates more than a liberal is a middle class conservative)
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To: dp0622

He has to get to them pronto. Cruz is scooping them up left and right.


3 posted on 04/06/2016 12:45:33 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
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To: All

Excuse me.

Trump needs to debate Cruz one on one.

But he’s Chick’n so he won’t.

He’ll get his butt handed to Himself. Believe me.

Trump is not man enough. He’s EVERYTHING HE HAS ACCUSED OTHERS OF BEING. You know the list.

And don’t give me this crap “They’ve already debated.” We both know that those debates were watered down entertainment venues. I’m talking about an issues debate, man to man.


4 posted on 04/06/2016 12:47:31 AM PDT by kinsman redeemer (The real enemy seeks to devour what is good.)
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To: kinsman redeemer

Ted is hundreds of delegates behind and has only won half as many states, why should Trump debate him and waste time? He has to take his message on the road. The Russian delegate winter of the northeast is approaching for Ted.


5 posted on 04/06/2016 12:56:33 AM PDT by toddausauras (Trump 2016)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

So PA delegates are unbound, no matter the vote.

Isn’t there another state like that?

Why bother voting in those states?

The whole primary thing is very unusual.

I wonder if it will come down to the last primary.


6 posted on 04/06/2016 1:09:07 AM PDT by dp0622 (The only thing an upper crust conservative hates more than a liberal is a middle class conservative)
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To: toddausauras

Most of Trump’s victories were back when the field was crowded. In a 2 man race, Trump loses. If it was a 2 man race from day one, Cruz would be far ahead.


7 posted on 04/06/2016 1:09:23 AM PDT by kik5150 (Cruz argued 9 times before Supreme Court judges. Trump argues with beauty pageant judges.)
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To: kik5150

But he’s not and he was in the same field. The days ahead are low on oxygen for Ted.


8 posted on 04/06/2016 1:13:36 AM PDT by toddausauras (Trump 2016)
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To: AdmSmith; AnonymousConservative; Berosus; Bockscar; cardinal4; ColdOne; Convert from ECUSA; ...
In order to get to 1,237 delegates before the convention, Donald Trump needs to sweep both New York and California primaries.

9 posted on 04/06/2016 1:18:03 AM PDT by SunkenCiv (Here's to the day the forensics people scrape what's left of Putin off the ceiling of his limo.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
1h1 hour ago Nate Silver ‏@NateSilver538 The big story is that Trump seems to have a -- let’s not call it a “ceiling” -- but certainly lots of upward resistance in his support. (2/)

1h1 hour ago Nate Silver ‏@NateSilver538 Some states are stronger or weaker for Trump -- NY will be good -- but overall he’s not gaining much as other candidates drop out. (3/)

1h1 hour ago Nate Silver ‏@NateSilver538 That’s a big problem for Trump, especially given that Trump consistently performs mediocrely vs. his polls and wins few late-deciders. (4/)

1h1 hour ago Nate Silver ‏@NateSilver538 Trump’s at 35% now in California, per our polling average. If that’s what he gets on June 7, no way he gets to 1237 delegates by then. (5/)

1h1 hour ago Nate Silver ‏@NateSilver538 Despite all that, Trump has various ways to win nomination with or without getting to 1237 by California. Still probably the favorite. (6/)

1h1 hour ago Nate Silver ‏@NateSilver538 Plurality favorite or majority favorite? Have to sleep on it. Good argument that markets underprice both Trump and Cruz vs. Ryan etc. (7/)

10 posted on 04/06/2016 1:30:58 AM PDT by ifinnegan (Democrats kill babies and harvest their organs to sell)
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In order to get to 1,237 delegates before the convention, Donald Trump needs to sweep both New York and California primaries... in New York, so he should get all 95 delegates. California... has 172 delegates at stake, 159 in the CDs... [Trump leads across the board] ... To win all 172 of California’s delegates to the Republican National Convention, Trump... would need to carry every one of CA’s 53 Congressional Districts... Interestingly, Trump leads by 15 points in the greater Los Angeles area, putting him in position to carry a number of CDs and grab those delegates. But Cruz has a 13-point lead in the Inland Empire region... Kasich leads in the Bay area... and might come away with a few delegates... The Frontloading HQ projection from mid-March had Trump on pace to win 1279 delegates... depended on a total sweep of Wisconsin and California. However, that projection only had Trump winning 63 delegates in New York, almost certainly an underestimate of his strength. Nate Silver’s roundup of analysts a week later gave Trump 71 NY delegates, but also 25 from Wisconsin and 93 from California. That puts Trump short of the nomination by a mere 29 delegates... "He would need only a fraction of the delegates that are currently unbound (or will be unbound) to reach 1,237."

11 posted on 04/06/2016 5:28:47 AM PDT by SunkenCiv (Here's to the day the forensics people scrape what's left of Putin off the ceiling of his limo.)
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To: dp0622

http://theweek.com/articles/616179/why-karl-rove-rooting-brokered-convention

from link:

But there’s another possibility, too — one that induces salivation among the GOP’s old guard of powerbrokers. Cruz, by some unparalleled turning of the tables, has his second-ballot nomination taken away, and party mandarins manage to install John Kasich or Paul Ryan or Rick Perry as their nominee. If rules must be rewritten, so be it. If the will of the voters must be overlooked, so what. Just get one of “our guys” at the top of the ticket. The end justifies the means, right?


12 posted on 04/06/2016 8:59:35 AM PDT by GOPJ ("We have the fight of our lives coming up to save our nation!" ~ Jim Robinson)
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To: GOPJ

Then, I suspect all the times we threated to not vote republican anymore will come to fruition.

And Trump can start a third party.

I don’t know why he started on this journey, but it has gotten bigger than himself and he needs to see it through all the way.


13 posted on 04/06/2016 9:43:35 AM PDT by dp0622 (The only thing an upper crust conservative hates more than a liberal is a middle class conservative)
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