I’m sure it’s difficult to imagine former NJ Governor Chris Christie sneaking up on anyone, but it’s happening. According to a Manhattan Institute poll, he has crept to within 2 points of Ron DeSantis in New Hampshire.
Ron DeSantis is facing a serious threat from Chris Christie in the New Hampshire Primary, according to a new poll from the Manhattan Institute.
The survey conducted last month shows just two points separate the Florida Governor and the former New Jersey Governor, with both men in low double digits.
DeSantis stands at just 13%, two points up on Christie’s 11%. Close behind them are Vivek Ramaswamy (8%), Nikki Haley (7%), and Tim Scott (7%). This shows a functional diffusion of the opposition vote to Donald Trump, who still leads comfortably at 34%, but far short of the majority.
It is worth noting that the RINO regalia chasing The Donald have collectively eroded his once significant margin over the second-place candidate. Not long ago, President Trump had close to 40 points on number two DeSantis in the Granite State, but the little nibblers have shaved his First in the Nation Primary lead down to a paltry 21 points.
Just a few days ago – on July 27th, (maybe you like the AG National Research NH poll better: Trump 41, DeSantis 11, Scott 8, Christie 8, Ramaswamy 6, Burgum 5, Haley 3, Pence 2, Hutchinson 1, Hurd
Scott and Christie are sneaking up on Governor Ron but not as much as The Manhattan Institute poll.
Over in Iowa, it’s Trump 44, DeSantis 20, Scott 9, Ramaswamy 5, Haley 4, Pence 3, Christie 1, Burgum 1, and Hutchinson 0.
Nationally, a recent NYT/Sienna has Trump 54, DeSantis 17, Ramaswamy 2, Pence 3, Haley 3, Scott 3, Christie 2, Hutchinson 0, Burgum 0, Hurd 1.
So what does it all mean? Nothing. Not a damn thing. While Primary voters tend to be more reliable “voters” and inclined to pick a guy or gal and cling to them (bitterly?), one problem remains, and I mentioned it here yesterday. If you want to beat Trump with Primary voters, you “must do a better job at two things. First, prove to them that (you are a DC) outsider, and second that (you) can stay outside no matter how bad it gets.”
That’s a high bar very few even want to reach, and Donald Trump is one of the few to get there and in such a way as to earn all this attention from the DC mafia. They always tell you who scares them.
And the DoJ isn’t ginning up indictments against DeSantis, Scott, Christie, or Haley, so we can probably say they are considered safe insiders who will only get trashed if they become any sort of real threat.
We’re also still seven months out from New Hampshire’s primary.
The other thing about New Hampshire worth mentioning, when we talk about polling is that it is not a closed primary. Independents and the undeclared can vote in the Republican primary. They may not always be polled but any snapshot of likely voters will include them. If it’s just registered Republicans, that’s still not telling because the uncounted influence of indys has been left out.
As I said, long way yet to go, especially for Gov. Christie who, outside of New Hampshire, isn’t sneaking up on anyone.
And a Hat Tip to Heather Mullins for the featured image. We met at Jim Berlo’s barbecue in July and she shared it with me. Shout out to @TalkMullins on Twitter (or whatever it’s called now).
When you can’t keep up with Trump and 6th+ place in the primary is already wearing you out… pic.twitter.com/go5qCEe9Tb
— Heather Mullins (@TalkMullins) June 22, 2023
