“I think the number of people/Republicans supporting Trump is actually much higher.”
I agree. Many Trump supporters I run into are very shy about admitting it, especially women. They are reluctant to share the fact that they like Trump because anti Trump people are very rude and insulting and imply that supporting Trump makes you racist, mysogonist and stupid. Anti Trump people usually say something like “Why? He’s a clown!” Or, “I thought only trailer trash supported Donald Trump”.
I’m even a bit cautious at times and I am extremely outspoken and like to argue with strangers about politics!
As more and more people realize they are not alone in their circles of acquaintances - that others share their favorable view of Trump, the vocal support is really picking up speed.
I notice that after the primary here in PA, I overhear people making positive statements because they realize he’s actually quite popular among a silent majority. People like his unguarded sense of humor and enjoy the way he talks in public the same way most normal people talk amongst their friends.
And it’s not just Republicans. Many laborers, tradesmen and contractors that would normally be robotically democrat are all in for Trump. These are often the ‘cool’ joke telling type people who are fun to agree with, so I think there is a certain viral nature to this phenomenon.
It took me quite a while to come out publicly, declaring in December. I have joked that before then I always waited for the secret handshake and exchange of password and countersign.
I suspect the Bradley/Wilder effect will be significant here with actual votes in November at least 5 points ahead of the latest polls.