I read yesterday that some 45-47% of Republicans believe that Obama was not born in the US and is not eligible to be President. Donald Trump's sudden surge in the Republican polls suggests that among the hardcore base, the number is far higher. Michelle Goldberg believes that this can only help the Democrats, and to a certain degree, I agree.
But that only works if the broad mainstream of America is actually skeptical. I am increasingly unimpressed with Americans' ability to process facts and evidence. The denial of evolution, climate change, or even economic realities of inequality--suggest that people believe what they want to believe, and to hell with the facts.
2 comments:
I have to admit that it is hard to believe most polling data. I saw a CBS/NYT poll from Thursday that placed Trump dead last among possible GOP candidates and he had the highest disapproval rating. I don't see him going anywhere.
I think the issue is where Trump is among the hardcore base. Yeah, there is very little chance he goes anywhere, but it is possible that his bump up because of the Birther nonsense will impact how other candidates approach the issue.
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