President Trump‘s actions and impeachment has indeed energized Trump’s base of Evangelicals, Tea Party and “Barr” Catholics who form 65 percent of the GOP, but losing ground with moderates where disapproval is high. It has also created a daunting anti-Trump Democratic voting bloc who more strongly oppose Trump than Republicans support him.
This survey of 2000 Republicans conducted on-line was weighted on demographics and cultural measures to match the large data base of surveys conducted by mostly cell phones. It also reports on focus groups conducted with the different GOP factions.
The Republican base believes impeachment is all about the deep state and fake news, though 45 percent worried about the deeper partisan divisions and desire for peace of mind. The Republican base is weary about the divisiveness.
But the party has taken on Trump’s fictional world view: only 11 percent believe the Russians were the main actors in 2016; more believe Ukraine helped Hillary Clinton.
A not inconsiderable 13 percent support impeachment, which rises to 17 percent after ads tested in the web survey and to a third of moderates, led by the women.
In fact, President Trump has not consolidated his party. Just 85 percent support him, regardless of the Democratic candidate. Why is that happening?
Bottom line, the Republican Party shows sharp cracks and significant push back against the direction he wishes to take the country.
