More than a third of Donald Trump supporters in South Carolina wish they were living in the Confederate States of America, where blacks would be slaves and gays would be banned, according to a new survey.
The latest Public Policy Poll gives Trump a commanding lead in the South Carolina GOP primary with 35%, compared to Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio at 18% each; John Kasich is at 10%; Jeb Bush and Ben Carson are at the bottom with with 7% each.
While Trump's lead is not surprising, the beliefs of his supporters may be. Pollsters asked if they wish the southern Confederacy had won the American Civil War 150 years ago.
"In fact 38% of Trump voters say they wish the South had won the Civil War to only 24% glad the North won and 38% who aren't sure. Overall just 36% of Republican primary voters in the state are glad the North emerged victorious to 30% for the South, but Trump's the only one whose supporters actually wish the South had won."
And if they had their way, 31% of Trump's supporters said they would ban on homosexuals entering the United States (or presumably their Confederacy.)
While these results might suggest Trump draws his support from the fringes, the poll indicates that his base is demographically broad:
"What's striking about Trump's support is how consistent it is across different demographic groups- he's at 41% with 'somewhat conservative' voters, 40% with younger voters, 38% with men, 36% with self identified Republicans, 35% with Evangelicals, 35% with middle aged voters, 34% with non-Evangelicals, 31% with women, 30% with self identified independents, 30% with 'very conservative' voters, 30% with seniors, and 29% with moderates. He has a lead of some size within every single one of those groups, similar to what he was able to do in New Hampshire."
