CHICAGO — Donald Trump will be elected the next president of the United States—if it were solely up to dry cleaners.
American Drycleaner’s 2016 Special Election Survey posed this question: “Our country will choose its next president on Tuesday. Who will you be voting for?”
Seventy-five percent of respondents say they will vote for the Republican ticket of Donald Trump and Mike Pence today, while 19% will pick Democrats Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine.
Libertarians Gary Johnson and Bill Weld received support from 2.5% of respondents. Another 2.5% are “undecided,” 1% chose “other,” and Green Party candidates Jill Stein and Ajuma Baraka received no votes.
American Drycleaner’s special survey conducted in the days leading up to today’s election also asked the fabricare industry audience, “In light of how the presidential candidates have conducted themselves, how do you feel about our country right now?”
A sampling of comments from respondents:
- “Other countries must think we are crazy.”
- “Policies and honesty is more important than behavior.”
- “Needs lots of help.”
- “It’s being destroyed by corrupt politicians. We are losing our rights and freedom.”
- “Sad.”
- “The majority of people in this country will not be happy with whomever is elected. We are as dangerously divided as can be.”
- “Embarrassed.”
- “Not so very bad.”
- “We are a mess and need help.”
- “No matter who will be the next president, America will always be the best country in the world.”
- “Going in the wrong direction.”
- “We need Trump.”
- “Our country is the best in the world. The sorry state of our elected officials is pathetic and we should not have to have such lousy choices. Please fellow Americans—wake up!”
- “I am troubled. If Trump wins, we will all be sorry very soon.”
- “There are a lot of sheep that follow the government no matter how corrupt. Then there are many angry people that have had enough and want a change. You can split them right down the middle. Sheep will vote for Hillary and the thinkers will vote for Trump.”
- “Politically unstable. Liberals are being exposed for unfair practices, and conservatives are looking for changes from the good ol’ boy politics.”
- “Very positive about our country. Not happy with the media and the Republican Party if, in fact, they still have a party.”
- “Like a train that has some wear and tear and steep mountains to climb, but it keeps chugging along.”
Respondents also answered this survey question: “What issue has been most influential in helping you decide how to cast your vote?”
Forty-two percent indicate that the economy has been most influential. Others: healthcare (12%), gun control (7%), homeland security (7%), immigration (7%) and the environment (1%).
It is noteworthy that 24% chose “other,” with several respondents writing that they are influenced by “All of the above.” Other influences mentioned were taxation, integrity, Supreme Court justices, and the national debt.
The Special Election Survey is a snapshot of the trade audience’s view. Qualified subscribers to American Drycleaner e-mails were invited to participate anonymously in the unscientific poll.
ACROSS THE TEXTILE CARE INDUSTRY
Overall, taken from identical surveys posed by American Drycleaner sister publications American Coin-Op and American Laundry News, Trump also is the clear favorite.
Among respondents representing the combined vended laundry, drycleaning and institutional/industrial laundry segments, 73.6% will vote Republican today. Roughly 19% will vote Democrat, 2.3% will vote Libertarian, and 0.3% support the Green Party.
Three percent of respondents across the textile care industry are undecided, 1.3% chose “other,” and 0.6% say they will not vote.
Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Dave Davis at [email protected].