Catholic support for Donald Trump considerably rising, according to latest poll

Jardine Malado Friday, November 04, 2016

Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton (L-R), Archbishop of New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump sit together at the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation dinner in New York. | REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

The latest poll from Investor's Business Daily and TechnoMetrica Market Intelligence (IBD/TIPP) reveals that Donald Trump is gaining on Hillary Clinton among American Catholic voters.

The IBD/TIPP tracking poll from Nov. 3 shows the Republican presidential candidate ahead by 20 points against Clinton at 54 to 32 percent. Trump also leads against the former first lady among Protestant voters at 56 to 34 percent.

Clinton is leading against the business magnate by a wide margin among those with no religion at 70 to 22 percent. The overall results show the two candidates tied at 44 percent.

Compared to the poll results from the previous day, Trump gained four points among Catholic voters from 50 to 54 percent.

Trump struggled with Catholic voters a few months ago. The August poll from the Public Religion Research Institute showed the Republican candidate trailing behind Clinton by 23 points. He was 27 points behind Clinton in the poll released by Washington Post-ABC News that same month.

A PRRI poll released on Oct. 27 indicate that Trump is leading against Clinton by 7 points at 48 to 41 percent among White Catholic voters while Clinton is 72 points ahead at 84 to 12 percent among Hispanic Catholics.

Trump has been working hard to get the attention of Catholic voters. In September, the Republican candidate announced the addition of a Catholic advisory group to his campaign.

The members of the advisory board included Rev. Frank Pavone of Priests for Life, Marjorie Dannenfelser of the Susan B. Anthony List, former Sen. Rick Santorum and Joseph Cella of National Catholic Prayer Breakfast.

Last month, he penned a letter to the Catholic Leadership Conference, vowing to stand with Catholics on core issues such as the sanctity of life and traditional marriage.

He wrote: "On life, I am, and will remain, pro-life. I will defend your religious liberties and the right to fully and freely practice your religion, as individuals, business owners and academic institutions. I will make absolutely certain religious orders like The Little Sisters of Poor are not bullied by the federal government because of their religious beliefs."