Burning Coals and Broken Glass

What is your vote worth?

How much are you willing to go through to cast your vote? 

Are you willing to walk across burning coals for your candidate?

Credit: LeedsAlive.com

This is what a recent survey by the Benenson Strategy Group was trying to determine that I came across. Its focus was determining the degree of enthusiasm that voters have for Trump and Clinton.

Let me say at the outset that I have never seen anything like the rallies that Trump has been able to put together this year on the campaign trail. It is nothing short of astounding. It is even more impressive when you compare the crowds he has been able to attract compared to Hillary. Trump is filling large arenas. Hillary is struggling to draw crowds to medium-sized amphitheaters. 

That said, let's look at the survey results on voter enthusiasm between hard-core Clinton and Trump supporters. Benenson measured this by asking likely voters about what events could possibly dissuade them from voting for their candidate. In effect, what could keep you from voting?

The events that could conceivably deter them were divided into two categories. The first were relatively non-severe such as storms, long lines at the polls and threats of violence at polling places.

45% of Clinton supporters stated there was no event that could dissuade them from voting in this first tier of events. By comparison, 90% of Trump supporters said there was nothing that could keep them from the polls.

Looking at the specific events that might prevent them from voting, let's look at some comparisons.

17% of Hillary supporters said they would not vote if there was a 90min+ line to vote.

  0% of Trump supporters stated that would dissuade them.

12% of Hillary supporters said they would not vote if there was a threat of Zika or another epidemological agent.

  1% of Trump supporters stated that would keep them away from voting.

The survey then asked about Tier 2 events such as active riots or civil unrest, a natural disaster, or a lethal outbreak of something like smallpox.

Not one Hillary hard core supporter could pass all the Tier 2 events. For example, 40% would not vote if there were active riots near the polling place. 23% would not vote if there was a natural disaster, etc.

On the other hand, 74% of Trump supporters said they would vote no matter what. In effect, they said come hell or high water I am voting for Trump and nothing will stand in my way.

0% said that active riots or civil unrest would keep them away. Only 3% said the threat of war would keep them at home. The only major deterrent to Trump supporters would be a lethal epidemiological event. 16% stated that would keep them from voting.

That is a pretty amazing level of enthusiasm and engagement and a testament to the value that Trump's most steadfast supporters put on the value of their vote.

Will Hillary's supporters walk across those burning coals?

No way. They would not want anything to do with coal and what it might do to our carbon footprint, anyway.

Will they walk across a bed of glass for her?

Credit:Beneathyoursoul.tumblr.com

We will know that by this time next week.

It just remains to be seen whether that glass is from Hillary breaking the glass ceiling or whether the entire ceiling has crashed down on her campaign due to the FBI investigations of her email server and the Clinton Foundation.