A top political analyst says the latest Minnesota Poll, showing all major Democratic contenders with substantial leads over President Trump, does not eliminate the president’s chances to still win Minnesota. Carleton College Professor Steven Schier says in this poll it’s essentially Trump versus a “generic Democrat” in many people’s minds. “A lot of details about the other Democratic candidates will be filled in during a campaign,” he says. “I can tell you, the Trump campaign will be filling in a lot of those details, and that could also tighten the race.”
Schier says if a liberal such as Elizabeth Warren were the Democratic Party’s nominee, it could push votes toward Trump in some areas of Minnesota. He contends the Trump campaign will focus on Greater Minnesota to try to counterbalance heavy support for Democrats in central-city Minneapolis and Saint Paul. The poll shows Trump tied or leading in the Twin Cities suburbs and Greater Minnesota.