Whit Ayres’ comments in The Atlantic regarding Donald Trump’s racially-charged appeals: “Racially divisive politics ramp up the importance of the changing demographics because it makes it harder to perform credibly among non-white voters, and it also makes it harder for Trump to run up the white numbers he needs because of resistance to that sort...
Whit Ayres’ comments in US News on chief executive officers making the transition to politics: Whit Ayres, a veteran GOP consultant, lists three weaknesses business-only leaders suffer when they seek political office. They’re arrogant, Ayres says, thinking they know more about polling than pollsters and more about how the media operates than media experts do....
Jon McHenry’s comments in Politico on the challenges Donald Trump faces in winning a general election: “I don’t see how he all of a sudden becomes this magnanimous unifier,” said Republican pollster Jon McHenry, whose firm, North Star Opinion Research, polled for Florida Sen. Marco Rubio. “Does he get a bump? Probably. But he’s starting...
Whit Ayres’ comments in the San Antonio Express-News regarding the vice presidential selection process: For Trump, the selection process is complicated by not knowing when he might be able to claim the nomination. “If we know as of the evening of June 7 (when the primary season effectively ends), then it will be a more...
Whit Ayres’ comments in the Kansas City Star on the impact of Indiana’s primary on the Republican nominating process: “If Donald Trump wins Indiana, there will be very little energy or hope left among those who want to back a nominee other than Donald Trump,” said Republican consultant Whit Ayres. To read the full article,...
Whit Ayres’ comments in The Washington Post regarding Hillary Clinton’s image: Republicans believe that Clinton is so well known that she will have difficulty changing minds. “She is substantially weaker as a candidate than I expected and substantially less able to create a compelling persona on the stump,” said Whit Ayres, who was Rubio’s campaign...
Jon McHenry’s comment in the Washington Times regarding President Obama’s approval rating and the Supreme Court vacancy: Republican pollster Jon McHenry of North Star Opinion Research said he doubts the Supreme Court nomination is a factor in Mr. Obama’s improved position. “I suspect it’s just [Mr. Obama] being out of the spotlight and others on...
Whit Ayres’ comments in the Los Angeles Times regarding the Republican nominating contest: “Any candidate that looks like an almost sure loser in a general election is going to have a hard time getting a party’s nomination,” said Republican pollster Whit Ayres, who was a top strategist for Florida Sen. Marco Rubio’s unsuccessful bid. “The...
Whit Ayres’ book 2016 and Beyond was featured by NPR regarding Donald Trump’s comments on abortion: Knowing this, Republican strategists know that the party has to be thoughtful when talking about abortion. In his 2015 book, 2016 and Beyond: How Republicans Can Elect a President in the New America, GOP strategist Whit Ayres — who...
Whit Ayres’ comments to CNBC on the state of the Republican primary contest: “I think this thing is a long way from being over,” said Republican pollster Whit Ayres. It’s also a long way from being clear whether this week’s contretemps represents a grave threat to Trump’s candidacy or another in a series of bumps...
