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WhytheseObamavotersarebackingDonaldTrumpCNNPolitics.com
Story highlights
Some previous Obama voters say they're
drawn to Trump
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09/02/2016
WhytheseObamavotersarebackingDonaldTrumpCNNPolitics.com
Trump has a sizable lead in New Hampshire ahead of Tuesday's primary. A CNN/WMUR poll released on
Sunday found that 33% of likely Republican voters say they'll back Trump, giving him a 17-point edge.
The support Trump is drawing from independents and even voters who have tended to vote for Democrats
in the past exemplifies the non-traditional nature of the real estate mogul's campaign. And that support
could prove to be critical for Trump here in a state with an outsized bloc of independent voters.
Many independent voters who supported Obama in
2008 quickly turned on him after he took office,
frustrated over the state of the economy and in many
cases disenchanted by Obama's signature health
care law. After winning 52% of independents in the
2008 general election, Obama trailed Mitt Romney
among independents four years later, 45% to 50%
(Obama won New Hampshire both cycles).
debate answer
Americans are now more likely to say that terrorists are winning the war against the United States than at
any point since the September 11, 2001, attacks, a CNN/ORC poll showed in December.
Amid heightened concern about national security, voters are looking for not only a change in direction but
also a shift in tone. Trump, with his no-apologies attitude and brash rhetoric, is appealing to those desires.
Chris Hickey, a retired Army veteran from Wolfeboro, is an independent who voted for Obama in 2008 and
Romney in 2012. This year, he's most likely to vote for Trump, whom Hickey called a "no nonsense"
candidate.
http://edition.cnn.com/2016/02/08/politics/obamatrumpnewhampshire/index.html
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09/02/2016
WhytheseObamavotersarebackingDonaldTrumpCNNPolitics.com
Trump was one of the three top GOP candidates among self-proclaimed independents participating in the
GOP caucuses in Iowa: 22% supported Trump and another 22% supported Rubio, while 19% chose Cruz.
"It's called leadership. Mr. Trump's support transcends traditional boundaries because he has a vision and a
strong message that resonates," said Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski. "Mr. Trump is a uniter
and has the ability to bring people together with his common sense solutions."
READ: Bush on Trump: 'The guy needs therapy'
Bill Hillsman, a political consultant who has worked with many independent candidates, said the most
defining characteristic of independent voters is that "they hate the status quo and believe huge change is
needed."
"Obama isn't that much different from Trump. He was promising big change, he managed to look like an
outsider and a fresh face, and he got people to believe in him, not just in what he was promising issues-wise
and policy-wise," Hillsman said. "Many of these independents now see in Trump what they wanted Obama
to provide. The Donald is most definitely outside the system, yet people feel like they know him."
http://edition.cnn.com/2016/02/08/politics/obamatrumpnewhampshire/index.html
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09/02/2016
WhytheseObamavotersarebackingDonaldTrumpCNNPolitics.com
http://edition.cnn.com/2016/02/08/politics/obamatrumpnewhampshire/index.html
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