WHERE DOES TRUMP STAND?  We'll be seeing more polling than usual at this point in the presidential race because of the odd position that Donald Trump occupies – former president, current candidate for the same office, and indicted citizen.  I don't think you could write this in a novel and get it published. 

A new poll shows public opinion on Trump taking shape.  From Fox:

Republicans are rallying behind former President Donald Trump's 2024 presidential campaign, according to a new poll that reveals an increase in support among the GOP following his two indictments.

After being indicted on charges related to alleged mishandling of classified documents, a Marist Poll survey found that 56% of Americans — the majority being Democrats and independents — think Trump should halt his 2024 presidential campaign, while 43% think he should remain in the race.

But the poll reveals strong GOP support for Trump, with 83% of Republicans supporting his run for president amid the investigations, while 87% of Democrats and 58% of independents think he should drop out of the race.

The majority of Republicans, 76%, reported having a favorable opinion of the former president, increasing from 68% in a February poll.

"As former President Trump deals with his latest legal woes, Republicans are mostly standing with him, while Democrats are calling for him to exit the 2024 campaign," Lee M. Miringoff, director of the Marist Institute for Public Opinion, said alongside the polling results. "Time will tell if this pattern holds, but for now, Republicans are grounded on where they stand on Trump regardless of these unfolding events."

Trump received a boost in support from Republicans around his indictment, with 50% believing he did nothing wrong, up five points from 45% in a March poll.

Looking forward to 2024, 64% of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents said they will support Trump in his campaign if he does not drop out, while 32% said they are going to support another GOP candidate.

The poll also revealed a decrease among Americans who believe Trump did something wrong in the indictment, dropping from 75% in March to 73% in the June survey.

The results suggest that 78% of Democrats and 50% of independents believe Trump broke the law.

COMMENT:  Read the rest.  Trump's legal problems are a continuing, fast-moving story.  Numbers can easily change quickly.  But the fact that Trump's indictments have come so close to the presidential campaign understandably raises suspicion that the timing isn't accidental, but part of a political plot launched by the Biden side.  True or not, that suspicion can help Trump maintain support.  But for how long is the question?

Stand by for more.

June 16, 2023