In a new sign of the strength of President-elect Donald Trump’s “mandate,” a large majority of Republicans and especially conservatives back his nomination of Fox host Pete Hegseth for defense secretary.
In the latest Rasmussen Reports survey shared with Secrets, 68% of Republicans support the appointment.
Overall, however, the nation is divided on Hegseth. Rasmussen said that 40% of likely voters want him confirmed, while 39% don’t.
Democrats and liberals are driving the anti-Hegseth push. The survey found that by a margin of 61%-21%, Democrats do not support confirmation. The no vote reaches 71% among liberals.
The partisan divide on whether voters have a favorable or unfavorable opinion was also evident.
While the country was split, with 36% having a favorable view and 27% an unfavorable view, the partisan numbers were more jarring. Among Republicans, 52% have a favorable opinion, while just 24% of Democrats said the same thing. Notably, 25% of Democrats said that they have a “very unfavorable” opinion.
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Reports today suggest that Hesgeth, who is fighting off media reports of boozing and womanizing, is struggling to keep his nomination alive because some Republican senators who will vote on his nomination have been lukewarm.
The poll could help his efforts if his public supporters start to weigh in on Republicans.