Donald Trump Feels Election 2016 Polls Are ‘Rigged’ — Except The One He Is Leading
With only two weeks left before the 2016 presidential election, both candidates are going guerrilla-style on their marketing campaigns. Today, Donald Trump spoke in West Palm Beach and is traveling to Tampa to continue his long Florida day. His running mate, Indiana Governor Mike Pence, is visiting North Carolina today to lead rallies in Salisbury and Greensboro, according to the Charlotte Observer. Florida is one of a few battleground states that are slipping, or have slipped away, from favoring Republicans.
Leaving West Palm Beach, Florida now – heading to St. Augustine for a 3pm rally. Will be in Tampa at 7pm – join me: https://t.co/b81vxXpN7f pic.twitter.com/GlH9r2NjkV
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 24, 2016
For the past 40 years (10 elections), six have favored the Republican nominee, while four have favored the Democratic nominee, including two consecutive elections led by Barack Obama. While the race was a dead heat during the summer, Clinton has maintained a lead ever since. Trump is looking to close the gap and lure voters his way heading to November 8.
North Carolina has been an even stronger Republican state, with eight elections won in the past 40 years, including the most recent one in 2012. However, the state has heavily favored Clinton, according to early voting. In fact, the percentage is 63 for Clinton and 37 for Trump, according to Public Policy Polling. Even without early voting, Clinton still maintains a three-point lead against the Republican nominee. Florida early voting begins today and may also favor Clinton since she is in the overall lead. These numbers present dire circumstances for the Trump/Pence ticket.
Great to be back on the ground campaigning in North Carolina! We'll be rallying with voters in Salisbury and Greensboro this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/qQlXYQefkD
— Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) October 24, 2016
The large gap in the early voting is a real and concerning number for Donald Trump. However, he is still relentless on his theory that the system is rigged.
However, this theory may be hurting him more than helping him. A recent ABC News poll showed that nearly six out of 10 respondents believed that his “polls are rigged” approach is detrimental to his overall campaign and does not hold any weight towards the outcome. What makes matters worse is that out of the people surveyed, 84 percent were Trump supporters. This does not bode well for the strength of this theory.
Somehow, people equate showing up for rallies to actual votes.
Despite this, even top political Republicans are not buying that the elections are rigged. South Carolina Senator and former Republican presidential candidate Lindsey Graham has opposing feelings, based on a recent report from Politico.
“I don’t think leading candidates for the presidency should undercut the process unless you have a really good reason.”
Former Missouri Republican Senator Kit Bond agrees.
“Somebody claiming in the election, ‘I was defrauded,’ that isn’t going to cut it. They’re going to have to say how, where, why, when.”
Perhaps the most interesting bit out of all the “rigged election” complaining is based on recent poll numbers. While the majority of polls show Trump having a very steep hill to climb, some polls even having him at a double-digit deficit, the latest Rasmussen poll has him up by two points.
Get out to VOTE on 11/8/2016- and we will #DrainTheSwamp!
RASMUSSEN NATIONAL
Trump 43%
Clinton 41% pic.twitter.com/jIOR7Bq816— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 24, 2016
Using these numbers as an advantage, Trump posted a tweet for all his supporters and potential voters to not stay home come election day, but to vote for him. Based on this recent poll information, Trump is not letting go of his view that, for some reason, other major polls are inaccurate.
Major story that the Dems are making up phony polls in order to suppress the the Trump . We are going to WIN!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 24, 2016
As the campaign process comes to a close, Trump’s stance on polls has become more vocal. While there are many people from both sides of the party lines who believe this claim is unprecedented, and there has been no proof to validate it, grabbing anything to deflect a failed campaign is what appears to be the mission.
As mentioned, even Trump supporters are not buying his stance on the polls, which can actually backfire for his final number come Election Day. If someone feels as if his or her vote will not count because of a rigged system, it could cause a person to stay home and not vote at all.
[Featured Image by Evan Vucci/AP Images]