Poll: Where Republican candidates align with most Americans — and where they don't
Republicans on the campaign trail are pushing several ideas. Some are in step with the majority of Americans while others are not, the latest NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll finds.
The survey tested policy prescriptions on some of the most hot-button political issues facing the country, from abortion rights and gender identity to immigration, foreign aid, trade and what to do about the national debt.
Most Republicans presidential candidates are largely aligned with a majority of poll respondents when it comes to believing gender is determined at birth (59%), that abortion should be decided by the states (54%) and that a border wall should continue being built (54%).
But those who hold the following positions are more out of step with most Americans:
- that birthright citizenship for children of immigrants in the U.S. illegally should end (63% in the poll said it should continue);
- wanting cuts to Social Security and Medicare to address the national debt (62% said don't do it);
- that the U.S. should stop trading with China (61% said it should not);
- and if they believe abortion should be banned after 6 weeks (just 39% of respondents believe that).
There are closer splits among poll respondents on whether Palestinian refugees should not are a good idea (50% said it's government overreach).
