New Poll Reveals Majority of Voters Support Free Trade, Immigration

Maybe Trump’s scare-tactics are not so effective after all. A new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll shows that a majority of American voters support free trade and immigration. The national poll comes in light of incessant attacks from both the left and right on the merits of free-trade, and the fear-mongering from Republicans about the horrors of immigration.

55 percent of voters agree with the statement that “free trade with foreign countries is good for America, because it opens up new markets and because the United States can’t avoid it in a global economy.” Interestingly, more Democrats that Republicans are in favor of free-trade with Democrats agreeing at a rate of 60 percent and Republicans at 51 percent. 54 percent of self-identified independents agree with the statement as well.

The poll also asked if participants believe that “immigration helps the country more than it hurts it.” Results indicate that 56 percent of voters agree that immigration is more positive, including 73 percent of Democrats, 64 percent of independents. However,  only 35 percent of Republicans expressed agreement that immigration has more positive than negative effects.

If the poll is any indication of where the American public actually stands, this could be encouraging news for Libertarian Presidential Candidate Gary Johnson. As the only candidate in the race who favors both free-trade and immigration, it stands to reason that he could attract many moderates dismayed by the two major parties.

Despite the misconception spread by some members of the libertarian media, Johnson still has a long way to go if he wants to make the debate stage. Not only does Johnson need to reach the 15 percent threshold, but he must do so in five different national public opinion polls.  As of press time, Johnson’s Real Clear Politics average is only 8.6 percent.

But there is a great deal of time for Johnson to catch up, especially after the typical convention bumps subside.