Most American voters don’t believe in solutions leading presidential candidates offer on issues from illegal immigration to cutting power of money in politics, survey finds
A new poll indicates American voters do not believe presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump will succeed in his plan to build a wall along the Mexican border to deter illegal immigration, and they don't think Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton will cut money out of politics or restrict the power of Wall Street.
The Quinnipiac University poll found that 39 percent of voters think Trump, if elected, would try and fail in his plan to build a wall, while 45 percent think he will attempt to but not succeed with deporting the estimated 11 million illegal immigrants currently in the U.S.
Sixty-three percent of voters believe Clinton will not even try to curb the influence of money in politics, while 18 percent said she could try but will most likely fail.
“No matter which candidate you pick, you can cut the cynicism with a knife. Will Donald Trump build that border wall or toss 11 million illegal immigrants out of the country? Voters believe that as much as they believe Hillary Clinton will police Wall Street or stop the flow of outside money into the pockets of politicians,” said Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll.
The one issue with which Clinton fairs better is the reduction of student debt in public colleges and universities. Twenty-two percent of American voters said she will try and succeed, while 32 percent say she will try but fail on the issue.
Asked to rate the job their elected representatives are doing, respondents gave both Republicans and Democrats a negative review. According to the poll, 80 percent disapprove the way Republicans are handling issues in Congress, while 63 percent are unhappy with the performance of Democrats - the worst net approval ratings ever for Congress.
On a controversial White House directive that public schools provide transgender bathrooms, respondents were sharply divided. The poll found 56 percent opposed the measure, while 36 percent were supportive of it. Asked how important the issue was for them, 41 percent of poll participants rated it as "very important," while 27 percent considered it "somewhat important."
The Quinnipiac University poll surveyed 1,561 registered voters nationwide between May 24 and 30 through live interviews and phone calls. The university conducts public opinion surveys as a public service and for research.
