Pollster Mallory Newall said on Friday that the idea that Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation galvanized the Republican base ahead of the midterms is likely incorrect.
“I don’t think that will hold, and actually some polls that have been released this week, ours included, have not really seen that Republican enthusiasm boost still lingering,” Newall, research director at Ipsos Public Affairs, told Hill.TV’s Jamal Simmons on “What America’s Thinking.”
“I think we’re now, what, 25 days away from the election? And in most polls, including ones we’ve seen this week, including ours, Democrats show a higher level of enthusiasm or interest in voting in the election,” she continued.
“I just don’t think that this was an issue that really galvanized the Republican base. I think in fact it may have done the opposite, and more Democrats are enthused,” Newall said.
Republican leaders were quick to tout Kavanaugh’s confirmation to the Supreme Court as the fulfillment of a campaign promise ahead of November’s elections, and many said the attacks he endured from Democrats will rile up the GOP base.
“It’s a wake-up call to why it’s important to hold the Senate. You know the Senate’s in the personnel business,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said last week.
A Politico/Morning Consult survey released on Wednesday found that 77 percent of Democrats said they were “very motivated” to vote in the midterms, compared to 68 percent of Republicans.
— Julia Manchester
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