Poll: Plurality of Republicans Less Likely to Support Jeb for Believing Illegal Immigration ‘Act of Love’

A plurality of Republicans are less likely to support former Florida Governor Jeb Bush for believing that illegal immigration is an “act of love.”

A recent CNN/ORC survey of mostly soft and moderate Republicans found that even 42% of those respondents were less likely to support Bush for saying that illegal immigration is an “act of love” while 20% were more likely and 32% said it made no difference.

On immigration in general, the survey asked, in wording favorable to Bush’s stance on immigration, about Bush’s support for “plans that would allow some illegal immigrants to remain in the U.S. rather than being deported.” A plurality (35%) said they were less likely to support him because of those views while 32% said they were more likely to support him. Another 32% said it made no difference .

On Common Core, which is another one of Bush’s liabilities, 38% of respondents said they were less likely to support Bush because of his support for the program while 20% were more likely to support.

The poll, which is largely based on name identification this early in the race, showed Bush, who recently declared that he was “actively exploring” a potential 2016 presidential run, leading with 23%, 10 points ahead of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.

The poll was conducted December 18-21 and has a margin of error of +/- three percentage points.