MANCHESTER NH. OCTOBER 29: John Doucette stands with supporters of Donald Trump as they stand in line to see Donald Trump Jr speak a a hotel on October 29, 2020 in Manchester, NH. (Staff Photo By Nancy Lane/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
MANCHESTER, N.H. — President Trump’s supporters in New Hampshire say they’re not worried about polls showing their candidate down, stressing they’re confident that a “big red wave” is coming on Tuesday in the Granite State and beyond.
The Trump fans sporting ponchos in the rain Thursday — ahead of a “Make America Great Again!” event with Donald Trump Jr. in Manchester — were adamant that Election Day will be a repeat of 2016, when Trump defied polls and defeated Hillary Clinton.
“Polls? Look at how the polls were with Hillary,” said Kyle Sullivan, 35, of Keene, N.H., waving a Trump flag while standing atop a van in downtown Manchester.
“We’re very optimistic,” he said. “Just look at the enthusiasm for Trump. I have a lot of faith in him.”
Recent New Hampshire polling shows former Vice President Joe Biden well ahead of Trump in the battleground state.
Biden was ahead of Trump by 8 points in a University of New Hampshire poll released Thursday. However, the pollsters note that Biden’s lead is lower than his 12-point advantage in early October. Among those who have already voted by absentee ballot, 85% of those polled said they voted for Biden while 15% voted for Trump.
Other swing state polls show Biden leading the president in many battlegrounds.
But Trump supporter Patricia Ferrante said she’s not concerned with the polls and pundits.
“Republicans and independents will let their voice be heard at the ballot box on Tuesday,” said the 65-year-old from Hudson, N.H.
John Doucette, 61, called the polls “fake.” He attended Sunday’s Trump rally in Londonderry, and said the president has the energy and enthusiasm on his side.
“Just like in 2016, there will be a big red wave on Tuesday,” said Doucette, of Somerset, Mass.
Trump’s rallies in the battleground states are bringing in large crowds, noted Mike Phillips, of Salem, N.H. When it comes to the New Hampshire race, he said that Trump was far behind Clinton in polls and came very close to winning the Granite State.
“I feel like we’re pushing really hard,” Phillips said. “We’re pretty upbeat about it.”
Biden supporter Mark Ferrin — standing near the Trump supporters while wearing a “Dump King Trump” sign attached to a Trump face — said he’s hopeful about the rising number of young people voting this election cycle.
The 70-year-old from Farmington, N.H., added, “We squeaked out a win here last time, and I’m feeling more encouraged now.”
MANCHESTER NH. OCTOBER 29: John Doucette wears a Trump button as he stands with supporters of Donald Trump as they stand in line to see Donald Trump Jr speak a a hotel on October 29, 2020 in Manchester, NH. (Staff Photo By Nancy Lane/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
MANCHESTER NH. OCTOBER 29: John Doucette stands with supporters of Donald Trump as they stand in line to see Donald Trump Jr speak a a hotel on October 29, 2020 in Manchester, NH. (Staff Photo By Nancy Lane/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
MANCHESTER NH. OCTOBER 29: Andrew Goldstein joins supporters of Donald Trump as they stand in line to see Donald Trump Jr speak a a hotel on October 29, 2020 in Manchester, NH. (Staff Photo By Nancy Lane/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
MANCHESTER NH. OCTOBER 29: Tim Keeler waves a Trump flag as supporters of Donald Trump stand in line to see Donald Trump Jr speak a a hotel on October 29, 2020 in Manchester, NH. (Staff Photo By Nancy Lane/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
MANCHESTER NH. OCTOBER 29: John Athanasoeaulos waves a Trump flag as supporters of Donald Trump stand in line to see Donald Trump Jr speak a a hotel on October 29, 2020 in Manchester, NH. (Staff Photo By Nancy Lane/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
MANCHESTER NH. OCTOBER 29: Andrew Goldstein joins supporters of Donald Trump as they stand in line to see Donald Trump Jr speak a a hotel on October 29, 2020 in Manchester, NH. (Staff Photo By Nancy Lane/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
MANCHESTER NH. OCTOBER 29: Patricia Ferrate joins supporters of Donald Trump as they stand in line to see Donald Trump Jr speak a a hotel on October 29, 2020 in Manchester, NH. (Staff Photo By Nancy Lane/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
MANCHESTER NH. OCTOBER 29: John Athanasoeaulos, Kyle Sullivan and Tim Keeler wave Trump flags as supporters of Donald Trump stand in line to see Donald Trump Jr speak a a hotel on October 29, 2020 in Manchester, NH. (Staff Photo By Nancy Lane/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
MANCHESTER NH. OCTOBER 29: Mike Phillips wears a New Hampshire for Trump hat as he joins supporters of Donald Trump to stand in line to see Donald Trump Jr speak a a hotel on October 29, 2020 in Manchester, NH. (Staff Photo By Nancy Lane/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
MANCHESTER NH. OCTOBER 29: Sue Phillips wears a mask with Trump Pence 2020 as she joins supporters of Donald Trump to stand in line to see Donald Trump Jr speak a a hotel on October 29, 2020 in Manchester, NH. (Staff Photo By Nancy Lane/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
