Melania Trump Is One Of The Least Popular Spouses Of A Nominee Since 1988

[sinkspur]

JUL 19, 2016 AT 1:38 PM

Melania Trump Is One Of The Least Popular Spouses Of A Nominee Since 1988
By Harry Enten

CLEVELAND — It’s difficult to cover campaign stories involving candidate spouses. Are they political combatants? Bystanders? A mix of both? But the story of this convention right now is Melania Trump. Last night, she gave a speech at the Republican National Convention that in some portions mirrored Michelle Obama’s speech at the 2008 Democratic National Convention. I have no idea how much effect, if any, accusations of plagiarism will have on the campaign, but it’s clear that Melania Trump is already one of the least popular nominee spouses since 1988.

According to Gallup, Melania Trump has just a 28 percent favorable rating compared to a 32 percent unfavorable rating. That means her net favorability rating is -4 percentage points. That’s lower than Bill Clinton’s net favorability, which is +6 percentage points, according to a recent CNN/ORC survey. It’s also lower than the net favorability of every presidential nominee’s spouse in every final campaign poll that asked the question since 1988.1

YEAR   SPOUSE   NET FAVORABILITY   SPOUSE WON
1992   Barbara Bush   +62   
2004   Laura Bush            +57   ✓
2000   Tipper Gore    +47   
2012   Michelle Obama   +44   ✓
2000   Laura Bush           +39   ✓
1988   Barbara Bush   +37   ✓
1996   Elizabeth Dole   +34   
1988   Kitty Dukakis   +31   
2008   Michelle Obama   +29   ✓
2008   Cindy McCain   +21   
2012   Ann Romney   +21   
1992   Hillary Clinton   +14   ✓
1996   Hillary Clinton   +6   ✓
2016   Bill Clinton            +6   —
2004   Teresa Kerry   -2   
2016   Melania Trump   -4   —

Melania Trump isn’t popular, but it may not matter


Of course, having a popular spouse is no guarantee of winning an election. Barbara Bush, in 1992, was the most popular spouse from 1988 to the present, and her husband, George H.W. Bush, went on to lose that election. Moreover, being an unpopular spouse isn’t a guarantee that you’re going to lose an election, either. Hillary Clinton had the second-lowest net favorability of any spouse of a nominee in 1996, and Bill Clinton easily won re-election. John Kerry nearly won the 2004 election despite his wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry, being the only spouse with a net negative favorability rating at the end of the campaign since 1988.

[bilo]

I don't get it.

I don't support Trump, but looking at Melania for 4yrs wouldn't be bad and she seems to be nice.

[geronl]

I don't get it.

I don't support Trump, but looking at Melania for 4yrs wouldn't be bad and she seems to be nice.

PornSlut would be a great role model for the little girls. not.

[Frank Cannon]

Trump is riling up xenophobia and then people are surprised his foreigner wife isn't liked. Go figure.

[libertybele]

Trump is riling up xenophobia and then people are surprised his foreigner wife isn't liked. Go figure.

Maybe wives don't like their husband's looking at Melania nudies.

[beandog]

I don't get it.

I don't support Trump, but looking at Melania for 4yrs wouldn't be bad and she seems to be nice.

I agree with you.  I don't know enough about here to dislike her or like her.  I kind of feel sorry for her, being married to the Donald and having his 3 children from his first marriage being more important to him than she is. 

Unlike his supporters, I am not enamored with his children. 

[mlizzy]

I don't get it.

I don't support Trump, but looking at Melania for 4yrs wouldn't be bad and she seems to be nice.

She's sort of like a robot! And this quest of her hubby's was not hers to begin with; she stated that early on.

For instance, compare Melania's exuberance with Heidi Cruz's and it's like night vs. day.

[libertybele]

She's sort of like a robot! And this quest of her hubby's was not hers to begin with; she stated that early on.

For instance, compare Melania's exuberance with Heidi Cruz's and it's like night vs. day.

Melania is used to being a 'trophy' wife, not a 'first lady' and I think she is very uncomfortable with the whole situation.

[mlizzy]

Melania is used to being a 'trophy' wife, not a 'first lady' and I think she is very uncomfortable with the whole situation.

I agree completely! She has her own world of jewelry, raising Barron, and whatever else she does. I don't get the feeling she wants the [political] public attention anymore than Janet Huckabee did. Considering MT's absenteeism all throughout the campaign and even recently, will she drag herself in for the win [if need be]?

[libertybele]

Looks like the Trump campaign is trying to do a little damage control.

Melania Trump’s Website, Biography Have Disappeared From The Internet

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/melania-trump-biography-deleted_us_57990c1ae4b02d5d5ed3fed9

[Wingnut]

Barron Trump say's:

[Fantom]

Trump is riling up xenophobia and then people are surprised his foreigner wife isn't liked. Go figure.

Right, good to see you Frank.

As for Melanoma...I mean Mole...Mole Mole Molle... Holly Molley.

Wouldn't be the first Honey Pot Baby.



Sure beats a "Beard"

[Vulcan]

I don't get it.

I don't support Trump, but looking at Melania for 4yrs wouldn't be bad and she seems to be nice.

It could be because she is seen as a tramp for posing nude.   

It could also be because she is seen as a gold digger who married a creepy old man for his money.

It could also be because she is seen as both.
 

[mlizzy]

Looks like the Trump campaign is trying to do a little damage control.

Melania Trump’s Website, Biography Have Disappeared From The Internet

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/melania-trump-biography-deleted_us_57990c1ae4b02d5d5ed3fed9

"Melania; you're fired!"

[geronl]

"Melania; you're fired!"

By next week, she might be back in Slovenia and Trump will be saying he doesn't know anything about a Melania and never knew her.

[mlizzy]

By next week, she might be back in Slovenia and Trump will be saying he doesn't know anything about a Melania and never knew her.

LOLOL ~ 

[HootOwl]

It could be because she is seen as a tramp for posing nude.   

It could also be because she is seen as a gold digger who married a creepy old man for his money.

It could also be because she is seen as both.
 

I think it's time that ANTI-TRUMP CONSERVATIVES start attacking Hillary and the DEMs.   When you have to kiss your guns by-by  you may think differently.

[mlizzy]

From July 20 (yes, someone took notice):

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3700042/Where-s-Melania-Trump-s-wife-missing-family-reunion-Republican-nominee-stages-dramatic-photo-op-return-Cleveland-running-mate-Mike-Pence-families-no-sign-Mrs-Trump.html#ixzz4FfAFldFI

Where's Melania? Trump's wife is missing from family reunion as Republican nominee stages dramatic photo-op return to Cleveland with running mate Mike Pence

Donald Trump's triumphant return to Cleveland, Ohio the day after becoming the Republican Party's presidential nominee was a photo-op for the ages, attracting more than 350 members of the media and a few hundred invited guests to a patch of grass near the shore of Lake Erie.

But Melania Trump was nowhere to be seen.

She has not appeared in public since Monday night's convention speech, which was quickly attacked for including a few lines cribbed from first lady Michelle Obama's 2008 Democratic convention speech.

A Trump staffer apologized for inadvertently adding Mrs. Obama's words to Mrs. Trump's speaking script. Mr. Trump refused to accept her resignation.

[mlizzy]

Never touched her either.  ;)

[aligncare]

I think it's time that ANTI-TRUMP CONSERVATIVES start attacking Hillary and the DEMs.   When you have to kiss your guns by-by  you may think differently.

Several people here said they hate Donald Trump so much that they're going to vote for Hillary...go figure.

[jmyrlefuller]

I think it says more about how much Trump himself is hated than it does about her.

[NavyCanDo]

Job Opening:
White House Window Washer
Pay Grade   GS-4  Step 2

[roamer_1]

I think it's time that ANTI-TRUMP CONSERVATIVES start attacking Hillary and the DEMs.   When you have to kiss your guns by-by  you may think differently.

The enemy within the gate is more dangerous than the enemy without.

[JustPassinThru]

Melania is used to being a 'trophy' wife, not a 'first lady' and I think she is very uncomfortable with the whole situation.

When you're a billionaire and not very bright, and working on your fourth wife...you don't choose her for her Philosophy degree.

You're looking for cheap thrills.  You're picking a wife like you'd pick any other kind of trinket.

And that is what this woman is.  EYE CANDY.

We are going to find out just how stupid Donald Trump really is; and how much of his legend was false myth.  And how tasteless is the family, and how reckless were his life-choices.

[roamer_1]

Never touched her either.  ;)