One of the most surprising emotions expressed by respondents was one that is not usually associated with Republican voters’ attitudes towards Donald Trump: ambivalence. Indeed, of those who remain open to another Trump campaign, many expressed the most tepid form of excitement.
“I’m by no means overly enthusiastic about Trump running,” said Diane B., 47, from Platte City. “I would say I’m between ambivalent and [being] for him running.” Sounding like a buyer who has started to shop around as her brand loyalty wanes, she added, “I would really like to see maybe [what] some of the other options are.”
When considering alternate candidates, Richard F., 32, from Platte City, saw Trump as somewhat of a default vote, with no other candidates filling his conception of an ideal president—at least not yet. “If it was between [Trump] and Biden, it’d be [Trump], but, you know, I would rather prefer a stronger candidate,” he said. “I guess I’m not saying if it was between the two of them that I wouldn’t go with [Trump], so I don’t want him to not run.”
Tina B., 46, from High Ridge, echoed Richard’s opinion: “I’m not 100 percent where I don’t support him [Trump], but I agree that there are some things that he’s probably lost a lot of support, and thinking about it, I don’t think he represented the country in the best light. . . . I would rather have a stronger candidate that would be more supported by the Republican party.”
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