Nearly half of all Idahoans agree with Donald Trump that Muslims should be banned from entering the United States temporarily, a new Idaho Politics Weekly poll shows.
And 65 percent of Idaho Republicans, who will be voting on Trump in the GOP presidential race in early March, agree with him on the Muslim immigration/visitation issue, finds pollster Dan Jones & Associates.
The problem of radical Islamic terrorist attacks is on the minds of Idahoans these days.
Jones finds in his latest poll that 57 percent of Idahoans worry about such attacks happening in their state.
Even with such worries, 60 percent of Idahoans say they are not changing their daily habits or activities because of the threat of terrorism.
However, 75 percent don’t believe public officials are overreacting for taking precautions – like closing schools – if a terrorist threat is made.
Jones polled in mid-December, just after the tragic events of the mass shootings in San Bernardino.
Some of the poll numbers:
- 47 percent said they agree with Trump’s call to temporarily ban Muslims from entering the U.S. Fifty percent disagree with that action and 3 percent don’t know.
- Idaho Republicans agree with Trump’s call, 65-32 percent. They will vote in a presidential primary March 8.
- Political independents disagree with Trump on Muslims, 54-43 percent.
- Idaho Democrats really oppose Trump’s idea, 86-13 percent.
- Those who told Jones they are “very conservative” politically really like the idea, 73-26 percent.
- Younger Idahoans, those 18-24 years old, are against Trump on Muslims, 65-29 percent.
- Those 50-59 are also against Trump’s idea, 56-41 percent.
- But those 70 years of age and up are with Trump on this one, 56-42 percent.
Finally, Jones asked respondents if they believe Democratic President Barack Obama’s plan to defeat ISIS is strong enough to succeed.
A whopping 78 percent said no; only 15 percent believe the president’s plan will work.
Jones polled 604 adult Idahoans from Dec. 17-29, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.99 percent.