Posted on 03/15/2016 1:11:32 PM PDT by Faith Presses On
I came across this telling poll result in an article on the primaries today.
A CBS News/YouGov poll of registered voters in Illinois, Florida and Ohio shows that among those who say they support Trump, over 60% in each state believe that he "can be too extreme at times."
By comparison, both Cruz and Rubio poll about 20-25% on the same question asked of their respective supporters, and in the one instance where Kasich had enough support for a result on the question to be reported, Ohio, he was considered to be "too extreme at times" by 12% of his supporters.
The result on Trump I found interesting since I support both Trump and Cruz and will be willing to support either. I do have some reservations about both, however, but do believe that such will be the case with anyone since we are electing a mere political, worldly leader.
Something particularly interesting about over 60% of Trump supporters finding him "too extreme at times" is that this flies in the face of the left's narrative that those who support Trump are wild extremists who love his "extremism" above anything else, and blinded by their own extremism, can see no fault in him.
I don't think it can be emphasized enough that the many attacks on Trump (and Cruz too) by the left/both parties/the media are consistently simultaneous attacks on Christians/conservatives. This result shows, however, that even the majority of Trump's supporters aren't blind to a major fault of his (his tendency to be "too extreme at times.")
What this result on "extremism" shows is that many Trump supporters recognize that he can be extreme but apparently aren't concerned enough about it to stop supporting him.
It's interesting to consider why that might be and what it means.
First, in demonstrating that they recognize that Trump "can be too extreme," the majority of Trump's supporters are therefore showing that their support for him isn't extremist - and the political elites and media are mischaracterizing them as so.
They aren't an "ignorant, angry mob" demanding a "strongman" leader and walking in lockstep with him since even they consider some of his words and actions to be too extreme. I would agree that sometimes Trump's remarks are too extreme (and not representative of Christianity).
To recognize major failings in one's leader, then, shows that most Trump supporters are realistic, not dangerously idealistic. This pops the balloon of those who call everyone on the right fascists and brownshirts, and want to see the electoral success of Trump as the rise of Nazi Germany all over again.
On why Trump supporters have stuck with him despite acknowledging his extremism, it may be that the answer is in his extremism itself. I would say these Trump supporters see several kinds of extremism being referred to in the question:
- Hitler-like extremism where Trump seeks to send Muslims to gas chambers. Trump supporters see such scenarios put forth by political elites and the media (and the poll-takers as well) as partisan projection and fear-mongering. The President does wield a lot of power that can be misused, but all things considered, including that the President isn't a dictator, Trump supporters don't see him as likely to act anymore "extremist" as other national politicians of either party. And the "Hitler/Nazi Germany" charges will be leveled against anyone who doesn't uncritically embrace Islam. Anything that someone Christian/conservative might have actual good reason to say or do, secular humanists might label as "extremist."
- Irrelevant extremism. To the extent that Trump actually is "too extreme at times," it seems Trump supporters believe some of it just doesn't matter. It can characterized as style and fluff, and as not being central to his substantial messages. Someone could prefer it not to be there (like disliking the decor or even sometimes getting unfriendly service at an otherwise good establishment), but realistically, nothing is going to be perfect.
- Extremism that begins to matter. Some of Trump's extremism seems unnecessarily unkind, combative and even unwise - such as telling supporters he'd like to punch someone out or that he'd still be just as popular with his supporters if he shot someone.
That so many Trump supporters note that he is "too extreme at times" shows that they aren't willing to simply give him a pass on it and ignore it, but will instead be willing to hold him accountable for it and expect him to improve. So, Trump can't actually expect to be able to randomly shoot someone and not lose his support. But his supporters are willing to overlook this remark because they see it as his bravado and don't ever expect him to.
His extreme remarks still represent a personal failing, though, and that's serious, but again, every political leader of a worldly government can be expected to have serious human failings. The President has the responsibility to mitigate his failings, and other people, including the public, are also to be checks against those failings too severely impacting the country. Trump supporters expect that between himself and the rest of the nation, his potentially troublesome extremism can be adequately managed, and they, too, are willing to criticize him and penalize him if necessary.
Overall, then, to the extent that Trump is truly "too extreme at times," it seems his supporters believe that there's no reason to think it should be an overriding concern, and it will be manageable.
* * *
A few other notable results in this CBS poll:
- Polled Republicans preferred that the next President stand up to Democrats rather than making deals with them.
- How Ohio supporters of Trump and Clinton responded on the questions about their plusses and minuses (note that the Republican questions are more negative overall):
Candidates often have plusses and minuses. Which of these traits do you feel apply to Donald Trump?
Asked of Republican primary goers voting for Donald Trump
Describes Does not describe
Is authentic 95% 5%
Listens to big campaign donors 10% 90%
Can be too extreme at times 65% 35%
Has clear positions on issues 78% 22%
Will look out for people like you 93% 7%
Sometimes over-promises what he can do 47% 53%
Candidates often have plusses and minuses. Which of these traits do you feel apply to Hillary Clinton?
Asked of Democratic primary goers voting for Hillary Clinton
Describes Does not describe
Is authentic 88% 12%
Listens to big campaign donors 52% 48%
Has clear positions on issues 91% 9%
Can get their policies enacted 93% 7%
Will look out for people like you 93% 7%
Sometimes makes unfair attacks on others 26% 74%
- In both Florida and Ohio, the polled registered voters were more likely to say that they would be voting in the Republican primary rather than the Democratic (53% to 39% in Florida, and 46% to 43% in Ohio).
All sounds good to me.
So?
Better than being a Wuss all of the time.
EXTREMISM IN THE CAUSE OF FREEDOM IS NO VICE - GOLDWATER
RONALD REAGAN AGREED WITH THAT SO DO I.
Thats the thing with Trump. His supporters know he’s flawed, egotistical, a blowhard and so on. At this point it’s not the candidate they support. It’s the what his candidacy
represents. Trump is the vehicle for the peoples movement.
Another push poll by the lying MSM because they’re afraid their precious little Marco Fakeo is about to lose big time in Florida. And they’re trying to tilt for Kasich in Ohio.
Obviously they’re worried about Illinois, too.
My Man, “in your heart you know he is right.”
I find the left too extreme.
Did they also ask which candidates were too passive at times?
Because, imho, that is also an “extreme.” The wrong kind of extreme.
Virtually every elected Republican has been too passive when dealing with Obama.
I’m tired of Republicans letting themselves be walked all over just so they can portray the image of a nice guy. I don’t want a nice guy, I want a doer.
I know he is flawed, but so are the other candidates. Who cares? Having said that, there are many qualities about the man that I do like. So, there’s that.
Trump doesn't strike me as someone willing to be ridden.
CBS I just don't believe that
Trump is over 40% in Florida and you add 60% LOL
I don’t ever remember OBAMA VOTERS ever being asked if BARACK OBAMA was too extreme in 2008. Do you?
And they will vote for him anyway. Just like black voters voted for Obama even though there were no improvements in his first 4 years. lol aid drinkers—all
Exactly.
And the other candidates pretend to be what they’re not.
Someone commented here not long ago that with Hillary Clinton, I believe, she and the media were insulting our intelligence with lies about her to excuse things she’s done. Our intelligence is insulted all the time by the “coincidences” and “honest mistakes” we’re supposed to believe just happened.
I’m one of those.
But I still love him!
In a way they did. I actually forgot to link to the story about the poll:
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/election-2016-trump-and-kasich-neck-and-neck-ohio-trump-leads-florida/
From the Ohio results:
The next Republican President needs to...?
Asked of Republican primary voters
Stand up to Democrats more effectively .................................63%
Negotiate with Democrats more effectively .............................. 37%
The story of a flawed anti hero who saves the day has only been around eighteen hundred years or so.
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