National pollsters are working feverishly to release data following Monday evening’s Presidential debate. A statewide survey taken last week commissioned by MIRS News, a political newsletter, prior to the debate, shows Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton with a five point lead. However, there are some variables that may make this a much tighter race down the stretch.
A statewide survey of 600 registered Michigan voters reveals there’s not much love for the two Presidential candidates. 53 percent of voters surveyed by Lansing-based Target Insyght have an unfavorable opinion of Democrat Hillary Clinton, the unfavorable rating climbs to 56 percent for Republican Donald Trump.
“These people aren’t liked and it’s suppressing voter turnout and interest amongst their party.” Ed Sarpolus is founder of Target Insyght. He tells us its recent poll has Clinton leading Trump 46 to 41 percent.
“So what’s important in this number here is the Republican interest to vote moves up one percentage point and matches what it did in 2012 the distance between Clinton and Trump would only be by one point. Clinton would only lead Trump by one percentage point in Michigan. That’s how close it really is.”
But remember, the candidates are not liked and that’s the key finding.
“Right now, in this poll, the interest in voting among Republicans and Democrats is lower than it was in 2012 and so we might see a drop in numbers. And that’s what’s impacting the poll results here and this year we see more Independent voter interested in voting than Republicans or Democrats which have an impact on some of the down ballot races.”
Target Insyght will release one more survey mid-October.
Patrick Center, WGVU News.