Poll: Contentious Primary Hurting GOP's Image

NBC ^ | Jan 18th, 2016 | Carrie Dann

[presidio9]

The tumultuous race for the Republican nomination is taking a toll on the GOP's image, with more than four-in-ten voters saying that the primary contest has soured their perceptions of the Republican Party -- more so than impressions of the Democrats, according to the latest NBC News/ Wall Street Journal poll.

In the poll, 42 percent of registered voters said the primary race has made them feel less favorable about the GOP, compared to just 19 percent who said they feel more favorable. Thirty-eight percent said the brawl for the Republican nomination hasn't changed their view of the party as a whole.

Republican primary voters are split on whether the contentious race, which has been largely dominated by the often bombastic rhetoric of front-runner Donald Trump, has improved or eroded their perceptions of their own party.

A third -- 33 percent -- say they view the party more favorably now, while 23 percent say they now have a worse image of the GOP.

Data from the same poll released last week showed Trump with a 13 point lead over rival Texas senator Ted Cruz, with Florida senator Marco Rubio and former neurosurgeon Ben Carson running behind.

The battle between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders has affected voters' perceptions of the Democratic Party less dramatically, and Democratic primary voters are more bullish on the contest's impact on their own team.

Twenty-eight percent of registered voters now view the Democratic Party more negatively, while 17 percent view it more positively. More than half -- 54 percent -- say the Democratic fight hasn't changed their views of the party as a whole.

Among Democratic primary voters, 38 percent said their view of the party has improved during the race, while only seven percent say the opposite.

[Hildy]

THERE IS NOT GOP IMAGE. Yeesh. We have no party, we have not brand.

[TornadoAlley3]

33% view R more favorably, 17% view D more favorably. Fight on guys!

[TornadoAlley3]

The image is seared in the mind. Boehner crying.

[freeangel]

The GOP “image” was hurting for much longer that the primary. It started when the gop-e decided they were democrat lites

[demshateGod]

Good.

[alice_in_bubbaland]

Now that’s funny. The MSM works 24/7 destroying the GOP’s image. Heck the “go along to get along” GOP isn’t helping anything either...Jeesh.

[Starstruck]

So 57% of the voters think more favorable or the same? Why is this a negative?

[euram]

I suppose they polled the NBC staff, then wrote the article.

[presidio9]

"42% of registered voters view the GOP "less favorably."

Also, 42% of registered voters lean left, and would presumably view the GOP "less favorably" if they suddenly decided to embrace Obamacare.

[Brilliant]

I don’t think it’s a big problem. It certainly has attracted attention.

[lovesdogs]

Translation, YEB was supposed to be inevitable by now so that hitlary would win.

[for-q-clinton]

The title is funny...as if the GOP image wasn’t low enough already. I’m pretty sure there’s not much the GOP can do to save their image other than back Trump or Cruz.

[TTFlyer]

The last few days it’s been obvious:

Trump vs. Cruz, they destroy each other with “help” from the Washington Cartel, Bush/Rubio become the nominee(s).

Enjoy....

[samtheman]

Concern Troll Ping

[rwoodward]

You mean the Bob Dole, erectile dysfunctional image?
Or the George Bush ducking the flying shoe image?
Or the John McCain Wackobird image?
John Boner orange peel image?
Rinse Plaugeus image?
Dick Cheney buckshot to your face image?
Or maybe the twin towers imploding image?

[wny]

Yeaaaahhh......NBC polls........that’s where I go for reliable information........

[COBOL2Java]

Poll: Contentious Primary Hurting GOP's Image

[ProtectOurFreedom]

The bigger news here is the Dems go full Marx/Lenin and 38% of Dems approve.

[Theophilus]

In the poll, 42 percent of registered voters said the primary race has made them feel less favorable about the GOP,

"Feelings"

Feelings, nothing more than feelings
Trying to forget my feelings of love
Teardrops rolling down on my face
Trying to forget my feelings of love

Feelings, for all my life I'll feel it
I wish I've never met you, girl
You'll never come again
Feeling, woo-o-o feeling
Woo-o-o, feel you again in my arms

Feelings, feelings like I've never lost you
And feelings like I'll never have you again in my heart

Feelings, for all my life I'll feel it
I wish I've never met you, girl; you'll never come again

Feelings, feelings like I've never lost you
And feelings like I'll never have you again in my life

Feelings, woo-o-o feeling it,
woo-o-o, feeling again in my arms
Feelings