An enormous 80% of Iowa Republicans expected to participate in next year's presidential caucuses describe themselves as "pro-life," according to a new poll.
The latest NBC News/Des Moines Register/Mediacom statewide poll also found that 77% of GOP voters say they are both "afraid for the Constitution" and "disgruntled with government," and 71% say they are "traditional conservatives."
A strong majority of Iowa Republicans also say they are "anti-woke," as 67% say they would use that phrase to describe themselves.
Regarding the abortion issue, while 80% say they are pro-life; 54% say they would be more likely to support a candidate who calls for a 15-week abortion ban; and 58% said the state's six-week ban "gets it about right."
Iowa political surveys are significant because the state’s Jan. 15 GOP caucuses will begin the 2024 presidential primary season.
Former President Donald Trump currently is the clear front-runner for the Republican nomination.
The NBC News/Des Moines Register/Mediacom survey showed Trump being the first choice of 42% Republicans in the Hawkeye State, followed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (19%) and Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C (9%).
A total of 46% Iowa GOPers said they would describe themselves as "MAGA Republicans," and only 23% say they would describe themselves as "anti-Trump."
The state’s GOP voters also were asked whether they would use certain other words or phrases to describe themselves:
- 71% "Exhausted by politics"
- 68% "Capitalist"
- 59% "Gun enthusiast"
- 57% "Moderate"
- 55% "Devoutly religious"
- 38% "Feeling passed over'
NBC News reported the survey found a slight decline in caucusgoers who described themselves as devoutly religious. In 2016, 62% said they would use the phrase to describe themselves.
The latest NBC News/Des Moines Register/Mediacom survey was conducted Aug. 13-17 by Iowa pollster J. Ann Selzer among 2,953 registered voters weighted by age, sex, and congressional district.
The poll found that the likely GOP caucusgoers largely are white (93%), a majority are men (61%), and 56% are over the age of 55. Also, 19% say they would be participating in their first caucus.
Charlie McCarthy ✉
Charlie McCarthy, a writer/editor at Newsmax, has nearly 40 years of experience covering news, sports, and politics.
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