Out of a variety of issues, most Idahoans say incoming President Donald Trump can best help their state by improving immigration troubles, a new Idaho Politics Weekly poll shows.
On another issue, two-thirds of Idahoans don’t believe Trump will carry through with his campaign promise to prosecute Democrat Hillary Clinton, even though he said any number of times at his rallies he would do so, as supporters chanted, “Lock her up! Lock her up!”
Trump carried Idaho easily. And today (Dec. 19) electors from across the nation will officially elect him president of the United States. He’ll take the oath Jan. 20.
IPW pollster Dan Jones & Associates recently asked voters on what issue before the nation will Trump best help Idaho.
- 23 percent said immigration is where Trump can best aid the state; understandably, for Idaho is a farming state and immigrants – both legal and illegal – do a great deal of the hard farm and ranching work.
- 20 percent said Trump can best help Idaho through his appointments to the U.S. Supreme Court.
- 20 percent said reforming national health care is the place for Trump to help Idahoans.
- 14 percent said reducing business regulation is where Trump needs to act first.
- 6 percent said public lands.
- 5 percent said infrastructure – rebuilding roads, airports, water and sewer systems.
- And 13 percent didn’t have an opinion of where Trump can best help the Gem State.
Jones was in the polling field when Trump first said publicly, after the election, that he likely wouldn’t pursue legal action against his defeated Democratic opponent.
However, several days later reports came out of the Trump camp that he may have to, if enough evidence surfaced. So while Jones was polling on the question there were mixed messages coming out of Trump Tower.
As in other Jones polling results, it is interesting that many of the people who actually voted for Trump don’t believe he will do some of the things he promised – a pretty low expectation of their presidential pick.
Asked if Trump will follow through with his pledge to prosecute Clinton for her e-mail scandal or other missteps as Secretary of State:
- 66 percent of Idahoans said Trump would not prosecute Clinton.
- 22 percent believe he will.
- 12 percent don’t know.
It might be expected that those who voted for Trump – Idaho Republicans – would expect their candidate to do what he says he will. Not the case when it comes to Clinton.
- 62 percent of Idaho Republicans believe he will not prosecute her; only 23 percent believe he will.
- Only 11 percent of Democrats think Trump will go after Clinton, 81 percent don’t.
- And 68 percent of those who are political independents – don’t belong to any political party – say Trump will not prosecute Clinton, while 22 percent say he will.
Even those who may have the hardest feelings toward the Democrat don’t believe Trump will act against her.
- Those who told Jones they are “very conservative” politically say Trump won’t move against Clinton, 55-28 percent.
- And those who self-identified as “somewhat conservative” say Trump won’t prosecute her, 64-24 percent.
Jones polled 607 adult Idahoans from Nov. 18-29. The poll has a possible margin of error of plus or minus 3.98 percent.