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<\/div>\n<\/div>\u201cButtigieg had a strong first half. While the rest of the field attacked him, saying he wasn\u2019t the right candidate to take on Trump, New Hampshire voters disagreed. Polly\u2019s results showed that three-quarters of a percent of New Hampshire voters came to Buttigieg’s camp after he made a strong case why he was the candidate to beat Trump,\u201d said ASI Chief Scientist Kenton White in his report shared with Secrets.<\/p>\n
Polly still has Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders leading in its AI poll, but the former mayor has a firm grip on second while former Vice President Joe Biden\u2019s chances are dimming.<\/p>\n
Commentary Editor Tim Carney on the expanded Washington Examiner magazine<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Overall, said White, \u201cButtigieg had to convince New Hampshire voters that Iowa wasn\u2019t a fluke, and he succeeded. Up almost a full percentage point, Polly pegs Buttigieg as the clear winner in tonight\u2019s debate, cementing a strong second place in the upcoming primary. Sanders kept his lead among New Hampshire voters but failed to sway those who weren\u2019t already committed. Biden continues his fall, losing almost a full point of support.\u201d<\/p>\n
His analysis of the AI data found three other points:<\/p>\n
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- \u201cSanders started the evening off strong. Polly found that his opening remarks drew applause and an increase in voter perception. This was quickly lost when the debate turned to healthcare. Usually a winning talking point for Sanders, Biden quickly went on the offensive and had his strongest showing of the evening when he asked Sanders how he would pay for his healthcare plan. From here, it was downhill for Biden.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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- \u201cBiden consistently lost ground, momentarily gaining some in the second half with his strong Senate record and support of the Supreme Court, but it wasn\u2019t enough. Polly saw that despite faltering when his criminal justice record as mayor was brought up, Buttigieg consistently gained throughout the evening.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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- \u201cWhile it doesn\u2019t seem enough to cost Sanders New Hampshire, Buttigieg is well poised for the upcoming Nevada and South Carolina primaries, where his criminal justice record and ability to attract black voters will be tested.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- \u201cBiden consistently lost ground, momentarily gaining some in the second half with his strong Senate record and support of the Supreme Court, but it wasn\u2019t enough. Polly saw that despite faltering when his criminal justice record as mayor was brought up, Buttigieg consistently gained throughout the evening.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n