CNBC survey: Trump is winning over Democrats and independents on his jobs agenda
Donald Trump's fight to stop U.S. companies from moving jobs overseas is garnering support from an unlikely group of American voters: Non-Republicans, who are warming to the idea of the president-elect in the White House.
New results from the CNBC All-America Economic Survey found more than half of Independents and a quarter of Democrats said they are comfortable and prepared to support Trump as president. An overwhelming 56 percent of those respondents said the top item on his economic agenda should be keeping jobs in the U.S.
The survey of 800 Americans from across the country was conducted December 2-5 by Hart Research Associates and Public Opinion Strategies. Its margin of error is 3.5 percentage points.
Republican pollster Micah Roberts said the results indicate Trump's push to keep jobs on U.S. soil, like his recent deal with Indiana-based air conditioner company Carrier, extends his appeal beyond the coalition of voters who helped him win the election.
"Americans see it as him being potentially a strong advocate for the worker," said Roberts, who is vice president at Public Opinion Strategies.
But support from Democrats and Independents on Trump's jobs agenda could be short-lived, according to Democratic pollster and Heart Research Associates senior vice president Jay Campbell. He warned the group could lose hope if Trump fails to deliver on his jobs promises.
"If Trump is not successful in keeping jobs from going overseas, this group's hope and optimism could leave very quickly," Campbell said.
Trump's efforts to stop companies from moving jobs overseas found broad-based support among the groups who helped him win the presidency. Nearly half of white women and non-college educated whites listed it as a top priority.
Meanwhile, 48 percent of Republicans favored policies aimed at keeping jobs in the U.S., beating traditional party platforms like cutting taxes and reducing business regulations.
Support for Trump's jobs message also transcended income levels. Financial elites, middle class and working class households all ranked it a top priority for the new administration.
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