Donald Trump could win the US election 2016 say 75% of Republicans

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Seven in ten Republican and Republican-leaning registered voters say Trump could win in November 2016 if he is nominated
Trump received the most positive response from voters on any candidate, according to an Associated Press-GfK poll
However, Trump and Ben Carson are considered among the least electable general election candidates by the Republican Party's professionals
The majority of Republican registered voters and leaners said they prefer an outsider candidate rather than someone with experience in Washington
More on the 2016 Republican primaries: www.dailymail.co.uk/gopprimary

By Dailymail.com Reporter and Associated Press

Published: 17:04 EST, 25 October 2015 | Updated: 03:25 EST, 26 October 2015

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Republican voters view Donald Trump as their strongest general election candidate, according to a poll that highlights the sharp contrast between the party's voters and its top professionals regarding the billionaire businessman's ultimate political strength.

Seven in ten Republican and Republican-leaning registered voters said Trump could win in November 2016 if he is nominated, which is the most positive response from voters on any candidate, according to an Associated Press-GfK poll.

By comparison, six in ten said the same about retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, who, like Trump, has tapped into the powerful wave of anti-establishment anger defining the early phases of the 2016 contest.

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Seven in ten Republican and Republican-leaning registered voters say Trump could win in November 2016 if he is nominated, according to an Associated Press-GfK poll

'It's the lifelong establishment politicians on both sides that rub me the wrong way,' said registered Republican Joe Selig, a 60-year-old carpenter from Vallejo, California. 'I think Trump is more electable. He's strong. We need strength these days.'

However, Trump and Carson are considered among the least electable general election candidates by the Republican Party's professionals, those who are in the business of helping candidates run campaigns and win elections.

Experienced political strategists note that winning a general election and winning the Republican nomination are often very different tasks.

The GOP's most conservative voters - a group that is older and whiter than the nation as a whole - wield extraordinary influence in picking the nominee.

Independents, moderate voters and minorities are far more important in general elections that draw many more people to the polls.

While Trump and Carson are popular in primary election polls, both have used divisive rhetoric in recent months that alienated some minorities.

Trump called Mexican immigrants rapists and criminals during his announcement speech, while Carson said he would not support a Muslim presidential candidate.

'Republicans think (Democrat) Hillary (Rodham Clinton) is weaker than she is. They are wrong,' said GOP operative Katie Packer, who was deputy campaign manager for 2012 Republican nominee Mitt Romney. 'They think we don't need to win more women or more Hispanics to win. They're wrong.'

Trump received the most positive response from Republican registered and leaning voters on any candidate in the poll

By comparison, six in ten say retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson could win the election in November 2016 if he is nominated

Former Florida Gov Jeb Bush, who has embraced a welcoming tone with Hispanics, tops the field of experienced political leaders on the question of electability, running about even with Carson and slightly behind Trump.

Six in ten Republicans said Bush could win the general election and 54 per cent said the same about Florida Sen Marco Rubio.

There's a drop-off among the rest of the GOP's 2016 crowded class. None of the other candidates is viewed as electable in a general election by more than half of Republican voters.

Carson and Trump are the candidates most likely to receive positive ratings from Republican voters, with 65 per cent saying they have a favorable opinion of Carson and 58 per cent saying the same of Trump.

Republicans are somewhat less excited about Bush, with 48 per cent giving him a favorable rating.

'If he weren't a Bush, I wouldn't even know his name,' said Republican Leslie Millican, a 34-year-old housewife from Magnolia, Arkansas. 'I like the other Bushes. Something about (Jeb Bush) - he ain't grown on me yet.'

Trump and Bush have the highest negative ratings within their own party: 37 per cent of Republican voters said they have an unfavorable opinion of Bush and 36 per cent said the same of Trump.

Their negatives are even more pronounced among the broader electorate. The AP-GfK poll found Trump is viewed unfavorably by 57 per cent of those surveyed, the highest negatives of any Republican candidate. Bush is next with unfavorable ratings from 48 per cent of all respondents.

Overall, all but one GOP candidate is viewed more unfavorably than favorably by all those questioned. Carson is the exception, drawing about equally positive and negative views. He remains unknown by a significant portion of the electorate.

Six in ten Republicans said Jeb Bush (pictured) could win the general election and 54 per cent said the same about Florida Sen Marco Rubio

Among Republican voters, all the candidates except New Jersey Gov Chris Christie have a net positive rating.

Carson tops the list, followed by Rubio, former technology executive Carly Fiorina and then Trump.

The poll also found a sharp difference between the political parties over experience.

By an overwhelming 77 per cent to 22 per cent margin, Republican registered voters and leaners said they prefer an outsider candidate who will change how things are done, rather than someone with experience in Washington who can get things done.

They prefer someone with private sector leadership experience over experience holding elected office, 76 per cent to 22 per cent.

Trump, Carson and Fiorina are the only Republican candidates who have never held elective office. Clinton, the Democratic front-runner, is a former first lady, secretary of state and senator.

Perhaps that helps explain why Democrats prefer experience over outsider status, 67 per cent to 32 per cent, and experience in office over private sector experience 66 per cent to 33 per cent.

Republican strategist John Feehery said Trump is considered electable now only because he hasn't yet been the subject of a multimillion dollar negative ad campaign, which will happen should he maintain his lead in the polls.

'Right now, he serves a valuable purpose as a front-runner, especially for the Democrats,' Feehery said. 'They would love him to be our nominee.'