Clinton Leads Trump in Texas Poll
In a new Washington Post-Survey Monkey released Tuesday morning, Hillary Clinton leads Donald Trump in Texas by one point. The Republican presidential candidate has carried the state in each of the last nine elections. The poll also shows that Trump puts into play other former Republican strongholds like Georgia (tied), Arizona (Clinton leads by 1), and Mississippi (Trump leads by 2).
Texas in particular may represent the impact of Trump’s repulsiveness to Hispanic Americans. However, the more general tenuousness of very conservative states shows that he has failed to appeal typical Republican voters. This could be in part due to his very obnoxious personality or his inability to understand small-government principles.
As the presidential debates near closer, Trump must pick up serious ground if he wishes to not be completely embarrassed on Election Day. This has nothing to do with winning the election, as those chances to seem to have sailed. Rather, if he wants to avoid the largest landslide defeat in at least twenty years, he must get to work on his messaging.
Also perhaps factoring into Trump’s inability to coalesce Republicans is his constant feuding with party members. Texas Senator Ted Cruz refused to endorse the nominee during the Republican convention. Now, Arizona Senator Jeff Flake has indicated some trepidation as well. Rather than extending an olive branch, Trump has responded with vicious attacks in interviews and on Twitter.
