Understanding the Trump voter is tricky, mostly because Trump is a relatively new phenomenon in presidential politics, and without a political record it’s difficult to measure where his support is coming from.
But I’m pretty sure I know where it’s not coming from: the conservative base.
Today’s prototypical conservative base voters are infamously principled. Their views are hardened, their heels dug in. They are armed with all kinds of litmus tests and purity tests to make sure the “fake” conservatives are weeded out from the good ones, often to the chagrin of the party.
It shifts with time, but at the moment the ideological guillotine falls on issues like immigration (are you for a pathway?), abortion (are you for exceptions?), guns (are you for universal background checks?), education (do you support Common Core?) and climate change (do you think it’s real?). Departing from doctrine on just one of these can cast a foreboding shadow of skepticism upon an otherwise devout and disciplined conservative.
The idea that in 2016 these voters would simply turn off their hardwired orthodoxy and support a guy who has voted for Democrats, refused to pledge to support the Republican nominee if it’s not him, openly defended Planned Parenthood, approved of exceptions to abortion bans, supported a single-payer health care system, backed an assault weapons ban and advocated a one-time 14.25 percent mega-tax on the wealthy to erase the national debt is, to put it in Trumpian language, really, really stupid.
Base voters will stick with candidates like Rand Paul and Ted Cruz, who demonstrated their conservative bona fides by shutting down the government, filibustering the Patriot Act and pledging to repeal Obamacare. The more evangelically inclined will support Huckabee and Santorum, or maybe even Marco Rubio, who recently said he personally opposes any exceptions — rape, incest, health of the mother — for abortion.
So who is the Trump supporter, if not the conservative base? I’d argue it’s mostly disaffected moderates who no longer strictly identify with either party. They think the political system is rigged. They think politicians are corrupt.
While Trump probably gets more support from the right, running as a Republican, he attracts from the left as well.
A popular Reddit thread that’s generated nearly 13,000 comments so far asked Trump supporters to explain why they liked him. A surprising number of Democrats weighed in, including one who said:
“I support Bernie Sanders, but if he doesn’t make it past the primaries, then Trump it is. Trump is the only other who isn’t bought.”
The only thing worse than a liberal is a liberal that thinks they're a conservative.
So who is the Trump supporter, if not the conservative base? I’d argue it’s mostly disaffected moderates who no longer strictly identify with either party. They think the political system is rigged. They think politicians are corrupt.
I was a bit surprised to notice that the Bible thumpers wer not listed as a sub-set of the True Conservatives. perhaps they have been banished as persona non grata?
oh well, they still have a home, such as it is, with Mike the Baptist.
oh wait, they were listed. I just read the report poorly. so, they're in the mix. Great.
I wish the whole other 15 or so of them could be as honest In their exposition as the Trump.
Republicans are so desperate for a combination of balls and charisma that you could probably throw Putin's name in the race and have him at 20% by the end of September.
Also, women love him.
Travis
Originally Posted by Geno67
Trump being classless,tasteless and clueless as usual.
Originally Posted by Judman
Sorry, trump is a no tax payin pile of shiit.
Originally Posted by KSMITH
My young wife decided to play the field and had moved several dudes into my house
Trump supporters are people who are tired of trying to choose their candidate from a group of career politicians who have already been purchased,...and are forbidden from taken the stand on the issues that the people want because the people who own them don't want it.
God bless Texas----------------------- Old 300 I will remain what i am until the day I die- A HUNTER......Sitting Bull Its not how you pick the booger.. but where you put it !! Roger V Hunter
Trump supporters are people who are tired of trying to choose their candidate from a group of career politicians who have already been purchased,...and are forbidden from taken the stand on the issues that the people want because the people who own them don't want it.
^ except cruz
God bless Texas----------------------- Old 300 I will remain what i am until the day I die- A HUNTER......Sitting Bull Its not how you pick the booger.. but where you put it !! Roger V Hunter
