New Hampshire Poll Reveals GOP Voter Sentiments Post-Debate

Suffolk University poll conducted in New Hampshire sheds light on Republican primary voters’ perspectives after watching the latest debate. The poll offers a distinct message for former New Jersey governor Chris Christie and provides insights into Donald Trump’s potential participation in future debates.

Among the likely Republican primary voters who watched the debate, 41% considered Chris Christie to be the candidate who should exit the presidential race first, making him the winner in this undesirable category. Former Vice President Mike Pence received 17% support for the same question, followed by North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum at 16% and tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy at 11%. The results spell trouble for Christie, who has focused his campaign efforts in New Hampshire, a state known for its libertarian tendencies.

During the debate, candidates hesitated to name who should be “voted off the island,” but voters did not shy away from sharing their opinions. Although many found Chris Christie entertaining, they did not view him as a suitable candidate.

The poll surveyed 500 likely Republican voters from September 28 to October 2, with a margin of error of plus or minus 4.4 percentage points. Among the 202 respondents who watched the debate, the margin of error was 6.9 points.

The opening Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary are crucial for Trump’s challengers, as they aim to loosen the former president’s grip on the nomination. Currently, Trump holds a significant lead in New Hampshire at 44%, with an average lead of 31 percentage points in recent statewide polls. Nikki Haley follows in second place with 13%, while Ron DeSantis has slipped to 10.5%.

The poll revealed that 40% of respondents watched the recent debate, a notable figure given the primary’s distant timeframe and other available entertainment options. Six in 10 respondents did not watch the debate, citing late timing and the transformation of debates into what some perceive as a “clown show” as reasons for their disinterest.

Interestingly, a majority of those who watched the debate (55%) expressed a desire for Donald Trump to participate in the next debate in Miami, while 37% felt his presence was unnecessary.

The poll also delved into the divisive issue of continuing U.S. aid to Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. Nearly half (48%) supported phasing out assistance to Ukraine, while 39% favored continuing it. Only 9% supported increasing aid to Ukraine.

The results indicate the complexity of the aid issue among GOP voters, with varying opinions on the direction of U.S. support for Ukraine.