There are two schools of thought when considering Donald Trump’s efforts to retain power after the 2020 election.
One holds that Trump was simply pushing the boundaries of legality, squeezing through cracks or uncertainties in the process to effect a result that blocked Joe Biden’s inauguration. Some of those who think this is a fair description of what Trump and his allies attempted also think it was warranted, given baseless concerns about election fraud or illegalities. Others simply think it was a clever effort to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, like violating unwritten rules to win a sporting contest.
The other school of thought argues that Trump and his allies broke the law to subvert the transfer of power. This camp includes special counsel Jack Smith.
Once we overlap these groups with the Republican primary electorate, things get interesting. A lot of Republicans clearly think that Trump was simply working an angle, as he had done so many times in so many circumstances before. Others — clearly fewer — think that what he did was illegal. Some chunk of the likely 2024 primary electorate, though, sits in a weird position: agreeing that Trump broke the law in his efforts to remain president, but also supporting his bid to regain that position in January 2025.
On Wednesday, The Washington Post released data from a poll conducted by Ipsos in partnership with FiveThirtyEight. Included among the questions was one that teased out an aspect of the distinction drawn above: Would Republican primary voters rather have a party nominee who respected the rules and customs of elections … or one who would do whatever it takes to win?
About 13 percent chose the latter, 1 in 8. Nearly all the rest chose a nominee who respects those customs. But that means, given Trump’s position in the polls, that a significant portion of the group preferring a nominee who respects election rules also support Trump’s candidacy.
There are interesting patterns in the willingness of likely primary voters to endorse a candidate indifferent to the rules of running for office. Men say that they prefer a candidate who will do whatever it takes to win more than women. So do extremely conservative Republicans, a quarter of whom endorse a candidate who will set rules and customs to the side.
As the news-consumption habits of respondents shift toward the fringe, their support for ignoring election rules climbs. More than a fifth of those who get news from Newsmax, One America News and other right-wing outlets prefer candidates indifferent to election rules. Among those who watch network news, the percentage is far lower.
7 in 8 prefer to lie.
It’s just out of habit at this point
Bullshit it’s 1 in 8… It’s like cockroaches you see one there’s hundreds or thousands. I’d say it’s a lot closer to 1:2 or 1:1.
They ‘prefer’ a candidate that respects the rules but will support anyone that they believe will beat the Democrats.
It’s like saying, I’d prefer to win fair and square but I’m willing to cheat if playing by the rules doesn’t work out.
Seems low
One in eight? Lol. One in eight are willing to admit it. Probably like 1/3-1/2 would go along with subverting democracy for “their team”. We’re talking about the party that’s fine with the fact that they lose every popular vote and still manage to regularly get control of the government. Democracy is not important to them.
deleted by creator
that number seems low
That goes up to almost 1 in 4 (23%) when you look at people who watch Newsmax and OAN
Fucking traitors.
I’d bet those numbers are much higher in actual life. 10s of millions of Republicans will happily vote for the coup leader the next time around.
When it stops being politics and becomes a religion in and of itself…
If you don’t like democracy, you can expatriate. That’s your option. Beyond that, it’s treason.
expatriate
Emigrate. Don’t sugar coat it. When they leave they will be immigrants in their new countries. Let them wrap their heads around it.
“Election rules” are what govern democracy itself. Without them you don’t have a free democracy.
So the headline should be changed to “One in 8 Republicans think winning is more important than democracy” and you can see where the problem lies.
Actions a speak louder than polls. Lol to 1/8.
LOL, I’m suspicious that the number is that low. How many House Republicans actually supported the coup efforts with their actual votes in 2021? 147?
Seriously. Given the general level of intellect (or lack thereof) with these guys, I’d wager a good chunk didn’t understand the question.
These are the people you see on YouTube losing their entire shit at their kids’ ball game.
