Post-debate focus group indicates winner of GOP primary debate.
The Day After the Republican Party Presidential Primary Debate: Fox News Focus Group Reveals Strong Performance by Ron DeSantis
The day after the network hosted the first Republican Party presidential primary debate, Fox News held a focus group of conservative Wisconsin voters to gauge who the members thought had the strongest performance.
Of the candidates, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis ended up with more of the focus group’s vote for who came off as the most “viable alternative” to frontrunner Donald Trump.
Thoughts on the Candidates’ Performances
Bill Hemmer and Dana Perino spoke to a group of eight voters from Wisconsin about their thoughts on how the various candidates performed during the debate.
- Steven, a 61-year-old engineer whose top issue is immigration, was leaning toward pharmaceutical executive Vivek Ramaswamy going into the debate, but said that Ramaswamy’s performance turned him off. He felt that Ramaswamy’s abrasiveness may have alienated potential voters.
- Tracy, a 46-year-old executive whose top issues were local issues, was leaning DeSantis headed into the debate and said that the 44-year-old governor’s performance “solidified” him as the leading candidate in her mind. She also expressed admiration for former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley’s stance on abortion.
- Kevin, a 21-year-old student whose top issue was the economy, was also leaning DeSantis headed into the debate and said he is still leaning toward DeSantis after the debate. He appreciated DeSantis’s focus on his accomplishments in Florida.
- Cathy, an 80-year-old pro-Trump retiree whose top issue is immigration, liked DeSantis and expressed a desire for former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson to drop out of the race. She believed DeSantis had the ability to take on Trump and make the country the best it can be.
- Gerard, a 69-year-old executive who is most concerned about public safety, was leaning toward Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) headed into the debate and remained unchanged after the debate. He appreciated Scott’s statesman-like demeanor and track record of accomplishment.
- Denise, a retired 65-year-old whose top issue was immigration, was leaning DeSantis headed into the debate and said that she is still for DeSantis after the debate. She appreciated DeSantis’s focus on bringing civics back into education.
- Chris, a 53-year-old restaurant owner whose top issue was the economy, left the debate feeling stronger about DeSantis. He believed DeSantis presented himself as a candidate who talked about the future and had clear policy positions.
- Elizabeth, a 22-year-old college graduate whose top issue was the economy, was leaning toward Ramaswamy headed into the debate but thought DeSantis performed extremely well. She believed DeSantis had the experience and the ability to do well in the general election.
- Ed, a 50-year-old salesman whose top issue was the economy, praised most of the candidates but leaned more toward Ramaswamy. However, he acknowledged DeSantis’s charismatic and strong performance.
Overall, the focus group members expressed their opinions on the candidates’ performances and their preferences for the upcoming election. It is clear that DeSantis made a strong impression on many of the voters, positioning himself as a viable alternative to Donald Trump.
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Hemmer asked the group if anyone showed the ability to take on Trump or close the gap in the polls. Cathy responded that DeSantis was the one who could do it, emphasizing the importance of appealing to a wide range of voters and making the country the best it can be.
As the focus group discussion continued, it became evident that DeSantis had left a lasting impression on the participants. They appreciated his accomplishments, policy ideas, and electability.
It is clear that DeSantis’s performance in the debate resonated with the focus group members, solidifying his position as a strong contender in the Republican primary.
Watch the video below for more insights from the focus group:
Fox News, which recent reports have suggested was souring on Ron DeSantis, asks a focus group after the GOP presidential primary, who they think did the best & who they were most impressed by.
DeSantis was the clear winner, including among those leaning toward Trump & Ramaswamy pic.twitter.com/kTbVlmcF5P
— Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) August 24, 2023
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