New York Times columnist Charles Blow defended Hillary Clinton on Monday by saying the unpopular former secretary of state would defeat the even more unpopular Donald Trump in a general election contest.
“Clinton’s unpopularity — as measured by poll respondents saying that they either have somewhat or very negative feelings toward her — hit a ‘dubious new record of 56 percent,'” he wrote, citing the Wall Street Journal.
However, even with these lousy poll numbers, things are worse for Trump, as approximately 65 percent of survey respondents in the same poll said they had negative feelings about him.
“If Clinton lacks enthusiasm among her fans, that lack is likely to be more than made up for by voters’ enthusiasm for anyone but the real estate developer,” Blow wrote.
“It’s too far from November to make predictions about the outcome of a race. We still have to learn the definitive outcome of each party’s nominating process. There could be a surprise in Clinton’s emails or in the real estate developer’s taxes — should he ever release them. There also is a tremendous war chest of super PAC money on the sidelines waiting to get into the race, and there’s no way to know how that will shape the election,” he wrote.
“Nothing is settled and inevitable, but at this point one must say: Advantage Clinton,” he added.
The Wall Street Journal isn’t the only newroom to find Trump loses to Clinton in the 2016 presidential election: Polling conducted since last summer shows she consistently trounces the billionaire businessman.
A RealClearPolitics polling average demonstrates Trump’s problem.
And it’s not just that survey respondents said they simply prefer Clinton over Trump, but they also prefer her positions on just about every major issue, including the economy, taxation and jobs.
Trump gives up the GOP’s advantages on every issue, but the foreign affairs figure is the most staggering. pic.twitter.com/eRmGZ0JOS0
— Noah Rothman (@NoahCRothman) April 25, 2016
Aware of his polling unfavorables, Trump’s team said last week he plans to become more “presidential,” and suggested the GOP candidate’s campaign rhetoric so far has been little more than an act.
But if this is true, and if Trump is really a moderate who is putting on a show, how is that going to play out with his current supporters, Blow asked.
“How must all of his supporters feel — the ones following him like wounded puppies because he is their rapid rabblerouser who ‘tells it like it is?” the columnist asked. “Maybe he’s just been telling you what he knew you wanted to hear. Maybe he’s been playing on your anxieties, insecurities and anger to further his own ambitions.”
“Maybe this has all been an act, a ‘part he’s been playing,’ and you are the gullible audience who got played. Maybe you are simply backing a man who has hijacked your passions and your party,” he added.
