ABC NEWS TOWN HALL

Mercury’s ABC Town Hall dial-tests confirmed that Donald Trump generates strong overall dial-test ratings to his answers among likely Republican voters, receiving an average rating of 71% on a 0% to 100% scale.  However, he has significant disconnect with Democratic likely voters, generating an extremely weak average dial-test rating across all issues of 37%. Most importantly, Donald Trump received average dial-test ratings from Independent likely voters that were only somewhat higher than those of Democrats at 48%, showing that his communications were not generating strong positive reactions overall among Independents.

Dial-test video results for each issue discussed in the town hall are included below, which make clear the specific issues on which Donald Trump’s positions attract voters and those where there is weakness. The results also make clear the issues in which Independent voters were more aligned with the ratings of Republican likely voters, those where they are somewhere between Republicans and Democrats, and those where they are aligned with Democrats. Further insight is provided by examining the shaded areas in the video.  Using the ratings scale on the left, the area above the middle indicates the percentage of Republicans, Democrats and Independents who believe a moment is a “Great Moment” while the shaded area below the middle indicates the percentage of each group that believe that a statement that was made is “Not True”.

Play the video and identify the moments of strength and weakness for each audience segment or contact Mercury for a more in-depth review.

Insults of the Military

On the issue of Insults of the Military, Independent likely voters tracked much closer to Democrats than to Republicans. Democrats rated Donald Trump’s response with an overall average of 43.  Independents tracked the ratings of Democrats although with a somewhat higher overall rating of 49. Republicans provided Donald Trump with a much higher average rating of 71.

Could Have Done Better

On the issue of whether President Trump could have done better, Independent likely voters tracked in the middle between Democrats and Republicans, indicating a split in feelings about this issue.  Democrats rated Donald Trump’s response with an extremely low overall average of 28.  Independents rated the video with a 48. Republicans provided Donald Trump with a higher average rating of 69.

Pandemic Mortality

On the issue of Pandemic response, Independent likely voters tracked closer to Democrats than to Republicans. Democrats rated Donald Trump’s response with an overall average of 40.  Independents generally tracked the ratings of Democrats although with a higher overall rating of 53. Republicans gave Donald Trump with a much higher average rating of 75.

Wearing masks

On the issue of Wearing masks, Independent likely voters tracked much closer to Democrats than to Republicans. Democrats rated Donald Trump’s response with an overall average of 43.  Independents tracked the ratings of Democrats with a near identical overall rating of 45. Republicans provided Donald Trump with a much higher average rating of 68.

Pandemic Response 

On the issue of Pandemic Response, Independent likely voters tracked much closer to Democrats than to Republicans. Democrats rated Donald Trump’s response with an overall average of 38.  Independents generally tracked the ratings of Democrats although with a higher overall rating of 47. Republicans provided Donald Trump with a much higher average rating of 74.

Stock Market

On the issue of the Stock Market, Independent likely voters tracked much closer to Democrats than to Republicans. Democrats rated Donald Trump’s response with a low overall average of 39.  Independents generally tracked the ratings of Democrats although with a slightly higher overall rating of 46. Republicans provided Donald Trump with a higher average rating of 66.

Being Presidential

On the issue of Being Presidential, Independent likely voters tracked in the middle between Democrats and Republicans, although closer to Democrats, indicating a split in feelings about this issue.  Democrats rated Donald Trump’s response with an extremely low overall average of 29.  Independents rated the video with a 47 while Republicans provided Donald Trump with a higher average rating of 72.

Racial Inequality 

On the issue of Racial Inequality in America, Independent likely voters tracked much closer to Democrats than to Republicans. Democrats rated Donald Trump’s response with an overall average of 42.  Independents generally tracked the ratings of Democrats although with a similar overall rating of 47. Republicans provided Donald Trump with a much higher average rating of 71.