Some voters embarrassed to admit supporting Trump

Hearst Newspapers ^ | Friday, December 25, 2015 | Kathleen Parker

[presidio9]

The biggest political news is that Donald Trump may be doing even better than polls have suggested. Yikes.

Apparently, many Trump supporters have been fibbing to pollsters, saying they’re for someone else when they really intend to vote for The Donald. And those fudging the most are college-educated voters because, it seems, they’re too embarrassed to admit their preference. As well they should be. I’m kidding. Sort of.

Imagine it this way: Guy on the phone asks whom you prefer for president. You can say, I really like the bragging, eye-rolling, profane, nativist, misogynist, policy-free billionaire-birther “jerk” (Jeb Bush’s word). Or, you can select a more-sensible candidate — and keep your Trump crush to yourself.

Thanks to this treasonous gap — OK, this interesting anomaly — these recent findings by the polling group Morning Consult could shake things up a bit. Notably, Trump’s predicted ceiling of 35 percent to 40 percent, the figure many prognosticators have used to argue against Trump’s becoming the Republican nominee, may be much higher — and his nomination, therefore, more likely.

-SNIP-

[presidio9]

This "reverse-Bradley effect" is something that I've been saying for a few months now. I am not a Trump supporter, but I do believe this is true.

[Reno89519]

I put a Trump sticker on my car about 6 weeks ago. Been surprised at the number of people reacting favorably. The only negative voice I’ve heard is my wife, who now refuses to drive that car.

[Axeslinger]

{Some voters embarrassed to admit supporting Trump}

...as they should be.

[libbylu]

I believe it is name recognition or real effect.
Was not long ago I was saying I would claim Trump first choice if polled. I have also called various congress critters and told them I would be voting for Trump. It is fun!

[oh8eleven]

Kathleen Parker
Stopped reading right there. A Rat in GOP clothing.

[TYVets]

B.S.

[Sooth2222]

I'd be embarrassed to be seen as supporting any politician.

[presidio9]

Stopped reading right there. A Rat in GOP clothing.

Assuming you are Trump supporters, why wouldn't you welcome the finding that his numbers are actually higher than current polls are showing?

[Signalman]

I’ve never understood this. Why would anyone be embarrassed or care, what some pollster thought? Some people are complete wusses.

[Mollypitcher1]

Change wives! LoL

[Beowulf9]

Same voters prob not ashamed to vote for Hillary, Sanders or Jeb.

Now THAT’S something to be ashamed of.

[MayflowerMadam]

D-i-v-o-r-c-e. Is she a lib or a Cruz supporter?

[Mollypitcher1]

Agreed!

[presidio9]

I’ve never understood this. Why would anyone be embarrassed or care, what some pollster thought? Some people are complete wusses.

Ever been called by a pollster? I was once. Around October four years ago. At that time, I supported Michelle Bachmann. The pollster was clearly calling for Giuliani. I told her up front that I supported Bachmann. She proceeded to ask me a million questions designed to change my vote to anything but Bachmann. Eventually, to get her off the phone, I changed my vote to Gingrich.

Donald Trump, as distasteful as he is, doesn't have any pollsters working for him. He insults all of them.

[presidio9]

I'd be embarrassed to be seen as supporting any politician.

And what would you call what Donald Trump is doing?

[Rockitz]

Shaming has no impact on Trump supporters (including yours truly), because he is, well, shameless. ;o)

[AndyTheBear]

The Leftwing is obnoxious brutal and shrill, and has been so for decades and is growing ever more so. If you oppose them they will use it as an excuse to de-humanize you socially. So rather than cause division in our ordinary lives, we just nod and learn to tolerate the pushy obnoxious left for purposes of just keeping the peace.

Normal rational people are sick and tired of this treatment...but also afraid of opposing it in public.

Trump opposes it loudly and in public and frustrates the holy hell out of the bullies.

Reasonable people who are still a bit afraid of the bullies then, sometimes join them in disavowing Trump in public.

Unreasonable people who just allow their opinions to be bullied will join in the criticism of Trump....to make themselves immune from being a target.

The polite "conservative" pundit class has more to lose, so will be slower than the rest of us to find the courage to oppose the bullies.

Trump has already enjoyed a preference cascade of people realizing its ok to have a flamboyant loud mouth be President. I suspect, though can't be sure, there may be another preference cascade in his favor as it becomes more apparent that the bullies are losing.

Another interesting note...remember that Cruz used to be the guy the bullies targeted as who we are not allowed to support at the risk of being judged as sub-human?

[Lurkinanloomin]

as they should be.

***********************

if they are good little sheep following the lead of the Ministry Of Propaganda

[ripley]

“Some voter embarrassed to admit supporting Trump.
As they should be.”

That begs the question, why?

Should everyone instead be proud to support a brilliant, intellectual genius like Hillary! or Bernie!?

Does it condemn one to the status of ignorant, knuckle-dragging hick?

Just asking.

IMHO

[presidio9]

I suspect, though can't be sure, there may be another preference cascade in his favor as it becomes more apparent that the bullies are losing.

There will indeed. There will also be a lot of Republicans who say now that they would never vote for Trump, but change their mind when faced with the prospect of a President Rodham Clinton.