Title: Poll Shows Support for DeSantis “Collapsed” After Republican Debate
Publication date: September 2, 2023 | 10:47am
Author: Jon Levine
A recent poll has revealed that support for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ presidential campaign has significantly declined after the first Republican debate. The poll, published by the Wall Street Journal, highlights former President Trump’s dominance over his top rival, widening the gap by 46 points compared to the Journal’s previous poll in April.
Out of 600 Republican primary voters surveyed, 59% expressed their preference for Trump as their first choice, while only 13% favored DeSantis. This decline comes as a disappointment for the Florida governor, who previously had 24% support and was seen as a potential contender against Trump. Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley secured the third position with 8%.
Democratic pollster Mark Bocian, who conducted the survey alongside GOP pollster Tony Fabrizio, stated, “DeSantis collapsed. The one candidate who back in April really seemed to be a potential contender, seemed to have a narrative to tell, has totally collapsed, and those votes went to Trump.”
The poll also indicated that opinions seemed to be hardening among Republican primary voters. In April, 13% of GOP voters claimed to be undecided, but the latest Journal poll reported that this number decreased to just 4%. Additionally, 76% of Trump supporters affirmed their firm commitment to his candidacy and would not consider changing their minds, while only 25% of DeSantis supporters expressed the same loyalty.
Contrary to expectations, Trump’s legal troubles, including 91 state and federal charges, have not dampened support among his base. More than 60% of primary voters believed that each indictment against Trump was politically motivated and without merit. Furthermore, 48% of those surveyed indicated that they were more likely to support Trump because of his legal challenges.
Looking ahead to a general election scenario, the poll surveyed 1,500 registered voters and found Trump and President Biden locked in a virtual dead heat, with Trump capturing 40% of the vote compared to Biden’s 39%. Approximately 17% of voters identified themselves as undecided.
The poll also shed light on the Republican debate, with Haley and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy outperforming expectations, while former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who has been openly critical of Trump, emerged as the most unpopular candidate, receiving a negative view from 73% of GOP voters.
As the primary race continues, these results provide valuable insights into the evolving dynamics within the Republican Party and the potential impact on the upcoming presidential election.
[Note: The article does not have a conclusion, but it would be appropriate to end with a brief summary of the poll findings and the significance of these results.]