Pollster Frank Luntz took to Twitter after Sunday’s second U.S. presidential debate to discuss a disconnect between voters and pundits on Donald Trump’s “special prosecutor” line.
Mr. Trump and Democrat presidential nominee Hillary Clinton sparred over numerous issues in St. Louis over the weekend, but one issue in particular resonated with Mr. Luntz’s famous focus group — the former secretary of state’s private server scandal.
“Donald Trump’s highest moment when he held Hillary liable for her emails and called for a special prosecutor,” Mr. Luntz tweeted. “The pundits are saying Trump’s ’special prosecutor’ line was the worst part of the #debate. But the people are saying it was the best. […] Most Americans (56%) think Hillary should’ve been indicted.”
Mr. Luntz then shared the real-time results of his focus group reacting to the billionaire’s vow. By using dials to show their approval or disapproval as the candidate spoke, voters overwhelmingly enjoyed hearing Mrs. Clinton taken to task for deleting 33,000 emails.
“If I win, I am going to instruct my attorney general to get a special prosecutor to look into your situation because there has never been so many lies, so much deception. There has never been anything like it. And we’re going to have a special prosecutor,” Mr. Trump said.
“When I speak, I go out and speak, the people of this country are furious. In my opinion, the people that have been long time workers at the FBI are furious. There has never been anything like this where emails, and you get a subpoena. You get a subpoena, and after getting the subpoena you delete 33,000 emails and then you acid wash them or bleach them, as you would say. Very expensive process. So we’re gonna get a special prosecutor and we’re going to look into it. Because you know what, people have been — their lives have been destroyed for doing one-fifth of what you have done. And it’s a disgrace, and honestly, you ought to be ashamed of yourself.”
Mr. Luntz went on to say that he may have “made a mistake” in writing off Mr. Trump’s campaign after a lewd 2005 conversation he had with Billy Bush leaked.
“After talking with voters tonight, he’s back in this race,” the pollster tweeted.
Donald Trump’s highest moment when he held Hillary liable for her emails and called for a special prosecutor. #debate pic.twitter.com/V4eEIjnMlG
— Frank Luntz (@FrankLuntz) October 10, 2016
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