When the media bows before the altar of false equivalence—the holy journalistic principle that one must never say anything bad about a Republican without saying something similar is also bad about a Democrat—please remember this: Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton are not equivalent. Not equivalent in their policies, obviously, given that one of them spews hate, lies, and constant contradictions while the other has offered a series of solid, reasoned policies largely aimed at helping working families. But they’re also not equivalent in politics—and the polls. Take this, from Gallup:
By 71% to 59%, more Democrats than Republicans in the U.S. are satisfied that someone is running this year who will make a good president.
Clinton is viewed favorably by 83 percent of Democrats while Trump is viewed favorably by only 75 percent of Republicans. (And yet: that 75 percent of any group likes Trump is terrifying enough!)
Right now the media is giving itself permission to hate Trump, so this poll is mostly being reported straight, without efforts to pretend the gap isn’t there. But between now and November we’re likely to see hundreds, if not thousands, of articles and television segments trying to erase differences like this. Don’t let them make you believe the polls are something they aren’t, any more than wanting to ban Muslims from the country is the same as wanting to expand affordable day care.