Russia investigations a 'witch hunt'? Not according to polls
There's much confusion about the Trump-Russia issue, but general consensus that it merits more investigation.
By STEVEN SHEPARD 03/03/17 06:45 PM EST
President Donald Trump insists questions about once-hidden contacts between his inner campaign circle and Russian officials are a “witch hunt.” Public-opinion polls suggest Americans don’t agree.
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An NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll released this week asked Americans if they believe that Trump’s relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin is “too friendly” or not. A 38 percent plurality called the Trump-Putin relationship too friendly, more than the 29 percent who said it wasn’t too friendly. Nearly a third, 32 percent, didn’t have an opinion.
When it comes to the Trump-Russia issue, there are two parallel trends that should raise red flags for the White House. First, as Americans have formed opinions on the issue, it has been to Trump’s detriment. Since December, the percentage of undecided Americans on the Trump-Putin relationship has declined from 44 percent to 32 percent. At the same time, the percentage who view Trump as too friendly with the Russian leader has risen from 31 percent to 38 percent.
Moreover, while nearly two-thirds of Democrats feel Trump is too friendly with Putin, only half (52 percent) of Republicans feel he isn’t too friendly with his Russian counterpart. Independents are unsure about Trump’s relationship with Putin — but more feel they are too friendly (35 percent) than think they aren’t (27 percent).
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http://www.politico.com/story/2017/03/trump-russia-polls-235667