Donald Trump's Poll Numbers Collapse as General Election Looms

NBCNews.com ^ | BENJY SARLIN

[Bubba_Leroy]

The bottom is dropping out for Donald Trump.

While Trump was never popular outside of his loyal slice of GOP voters, a raft of new polls show his national position hitting new lows, including with groups that are supposed to form his base.

America's widespread loathing for Trump puts further pressure on Republican delegates to deny him the nomination in July if he falls short of a majority, a move that would set off an ugly civil war but that some in the party believe would be necessary to stave off generational damage.

A collection of recent surveys by Real Clear Politics finds, on average, 30 percent of respondents hold a favorable view of Trump versus 63 percent who hold a negative one. Those numbers are roughly parallel to former President George W. Bush's approval ratings during his final months in office, which set the stage for President Barack Obama's landslide victory.

Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton leads Trump by double digits in at least six national polls in March, even as her own favorability ratings appear weak. Using 2008 as a reference point again, Obama's popular vote margin against Sen. John McCain was just more than 7 percent.

[ScottinVA]

ha ha.....nothing compares to the CRuzservative Review, HotAir, TedState, Human Events (ALL Towhhall outlets)....as arms of the cRuz campaign.

Vs. Roger Stoned, Irrational Enquirer, Conservative Screedhouse and Shrill Report carrying Trump's water?

OK. I'll take that credibility matchup.. any day of the week.

[caww]

...”Media are going out of their way to claim that “Trump supporters have failed at life and blame others for their own poor decisions..... They’re using Trump as a vehicle for revenge.”....

Truth is truth no matter the vehicle the words come from, and will be recognized as that regardless. Even the Trump supporters have clearly stated, as the press now does, regarding why they’re supporting Trump.

Has nothing to do with the GOPe saying it...it’s very well known and understood, written and spoken by many news sources, groups and and people overall.

Most unfortunately do not understand if the Republic falls they go with it.

[WENDLE]

He never denied the NE story. He simply called it “sleeze” That does not address the veracity of the asserted proposition, that being he had 5 affairs while married,thus lyng to Snarly.

[ifinnegan]

And true.

[Biggirl]

Cruz has no chance either.

[ichabod1]

That’s good though, in a way, you can’t fight what you can’t identify. Truth is always good.

[Iowa David]

well, not Utah or Wisconsin.

As soon as Trump reaches 50% in ONE state.....maybe you have a point

[Just mythoughts]

Why are you accusing Cruz of citizenship issues. It’s the courts decision whether he is eligible, not his. The courts ruled on it. It’s over and done with. Next!

Natural born US citizenship is not given or taken by any act of Congress or a court. Only two US citizen parents birthing their child on US soil bequeaths 'natural born' US citizenship... Cruz knows this... In his lie in response to his eligibility question he perverted the original intent of 'natural born' US citizen.

Natural born US citizenship is akin to a birthright.... Remember Esau... he sold his birthright for a bowl of 'red' lentils (beans) God saw to it Esau lost the blessing as well... And God had those He elected to speak for Him, to record two times ... Esau I hated... I do not mess with God.

[freeandfreezing]

Only the most devoted trumper could justify or excuse his recent actions and gaffes.

Just as a point of reference, are those "recent actions and gaffes" from the point of view of a pro-life conservative or a pro-choice liberal?

I would think that the typical pro-abortion liberal considers that in a hypothetical situation where abortion was illegal, saying you would punish the woman involved would be a "gaffe".

Of course those same liberals have no problem with prosecuting women who give birth to a child, and in the process of doing so intentionally kill the child. Presumably since a doctor is not involved they consider that situation to be different that the typical late term abortion.

But usually pro-life conservatives are a little smarter than that. They realize, for example, that if certain kinds of abortion, or abortions in certain circumstances were illegal it would be appropriate to punish those involved. If not why bother making the act illegal?

So just what did Trump say that was a "gaffe"?

[DouglasKC]

Noise generated by the establishment. Trying like heck to plant the perception that his momentum has stalled. He’ll lose in Wisconsin by a bit, and still pick up delegates, and this will be heralded as his demise. Until New York, where Cruz will take a whipping the like of which are rarely seen in primaries. Everybody just hang on for a couple of weeks. Remember, you are in the midst of a gigantic propaganda designed not to report, but to create doubt and confusion.This is the last stand of the establishment, and we all knew they wouldn’t go down without a fight. Relax.

Yep, the establishment has bet the bank on trying to prevent Trump from getting 1237. They bought Cruz and he's being a good little toady and helping out the establishment. Cruz knows he's never going to be the nominee and he's happy letting (probably) Ryan be the nominee. It's Ryan's "turn" in the GOP and even if Ryan loses then that's okay because it's Hillary's turn for the Dems. Either way it doesn't matter because the fatcats keep the status quo.

That's what's maddening about the Cruzites here. They KNOW that Cruz doesn't have a snowballs chance of being the nominee and they can't face the fact that he's sold out conservatism.

[AmericanInTokyo]

He is far from finished. But yeah, indeed, he has peaked. I expected the MSM to continue pumping DT up for a few more weeks rather than pull the rug this early. He is their favorite for the nominee, but it is clear his negatives are high and growing. One must leave the narrow confines of FR once in awhile to sense and perceive what the greater mass of America thinks, rather than developing campaign fever-begetting-myopia.

It's crumbling.

[AmericanInTokyo]

Excellent, Scott.

[Grampa Dave]

Look in your mirror if you have one for the deranged one!

[AmericanInTokyo]

Trump has NEVER been a part of the American Conservative Movement. He is only playing a tactical role for the time being, and very recently at that.

[Beautiful_Gracious_Skies]

As long as they allow the man to live. Better to be cheated by the ruling class of scum then to carried out by six.

They are demonstrating that they will resort to any and all means necessary to defy his voters and him the nomination.

Well if it goes that way, than it least he will have woken up a great deal of people to reality of false elections.

We were under the false impression that the dems were the only ones who cheat.

[EQAndyBuzz]

Ah I get it now. The courts in multiple states are wrong.

Thanks for the clarification.

[altura]

Well, confront me with one. Just one.

Not gossip, not what Trump says, not opinion...

Just one verified lie.

[Jay Thomas]

Also, if it was a sure thing Trump would lose to Killary, Why would the MSM and DNC be so full throated screaming to deny him the nomination.

No one has adequatly answered this question.

The RNC really doesn’t care if Killary wins but are doing their damnest to deny Trump.

[altura]

Cruz has a very good chance.

All those polls you don’t believe show him beating Hillary.

[Just mythoughts]

Ah I get it now. The courts in multiple states are wrong. Thanks for the clarification.

The courts have been long known for making and changing the Constitution... Who was it that claimed there is a right in the Constitution to kill the unborn?

Congress is no different they magically resolved that lord McCain was eligible... That was a Claire McCaskill, Clinton, Obama, Coburn, Leahy resolution. Now Cruz wants his piece of the action... But the Senate will not resolve Cruz to be eligible.