Indictments overlooked by GOP voters as Trump’s substantial lead strengthens, according to CBS News poll

Analysis: Trump holds commanding lead in GOP field for 2024, despite legal troubles

Former President Donald Trump continues to dominate the Republican Party as the preferred candidate for the 2024 presidential election, according to recent polling data. Despite his recent legal troubles, Trump holds a significant lead over his rivals, with most of his supporters citing his legal battles as a reason to show him support. Trump’s nearest competitor, Ron DeSantis, has fallen even further back in the race, while all other candidates trail in single digits.

Trump’s strong support among his base seems to shield him from attacks and criticism. A majority of GOP primary voters do not want the other candidates to focus on criticizing Trump, but rather want them to make their own case for candidacy. However, it is worth noting that Trump’s supporters were more likely to believe he should participate in debates and watch them, before reports emerged that he would be skipping the event.

One reason for Trump’s continued dominance in the polls is that Republican primary voters view the charges against him as politically motivated. While they acknowledge that Trump tried to stay in office, they believe his actions were legal and constitutional because they overwhelmingly believe that Joe Biden did not win the election legitimately. Additionally, Trump’s voters see him as a source of reliable information, even more so than other conservative media figures, religious leaders, or their own friends and family.

Another contributing factor to Trump’s strong standing is his ability to command media attention. Half of the Republican primary electorate believes there has been too much coverage of Trump, largely due to negative stories about his legal troubles. Republican candidates have also focused heavily on Trump-related topics in their campaigns, overshadowing economic and social issues.

Trump’s track record as president, with many supporters believing the country was better under his leadership, and his perceived ability to defeat Biden, also contribute to his popularity. A majority of Trump’s voters believe he fights for people like them, and if given the choice, many would prefer a candidate similar to Trump.

While there is still a narrow path for other candidates to gain traction, time may work in their favor as voters are still keeping their options open. Additionally, a significant portion of voters are waiting to see the debates before making a final decision. However, strictly anti-Trump sentiment is not enough to win over Republican primary voters at this time.

Pocketbook issues, such as lowering inflation, are of great importance to Republican primary voters and debate watchers. They are also concerned about the economy potentially entering a recession next year. While some voters believe the Republican Party should consider someone new, many remain unsure about the electability of Trump and the potential impact of his legal battles.

As for former Vice President Mike Pence, opinions among primary voters are mixed. While being labeled “too honest” is generally seen as a positive attribute for Pence, many voters are uncertain. Regarding the events of January 6, 2021, Trump supporters are more likely to believe Pence did the wrong thing by counting the electoral votes, while non-MAGA Republicans are more likely to believe he did the right thing.

Overall, Trump’s commanding lead in the GOP field for the 2024 election remains unchallenged, despite his legal troubles. His ability to rally support among his base and control the narrative in the campaign, along with his perceived electability and record as president, solidify his position as the front-runner. Other candidates face an uphill battle in gaining momentum and must focus on issues that resonate with Republican primary voters if they hope to make a dent in Trump’s dominance.

Note: This analysis is based on polling data from a nationally representative sample of 2,061 U.S. adult residents, including 538 likely Republican primary voters. The survey was conducted between August 16-18, 2023, with a margin of error of ±3.0 points for the sample overall and ±5.7 points for likely Republican primary voters.

Original Story at www.cbsnews.com – 2023-08-20 23:35:00