2-way vs. 4-way

[Senator Cris]

From almost all polls I've seen, Trump does better in the 4-way than in the 2-way, despite a candidate (Johnson) that should appeal more to the centre-right area. Why?

[GeorgiaModerate]

From almost all polls I've seen, Trump does better in the 4-way than in the 2-way, despite a candidate (Johnson) that should appeal more to the centre-right area. Why?

Probably #NeverTrump types who really don't like Clinton, but would hold their nose and vote for her if there's no other choice, but will prefer a third alternative.

[OwlRhetoric]

Johnson is aiming like 90% of his policy points at the left. He even blew up last week over some journalist using the term "illegal immigrant" because it isn't politically correct. I'm certain that in most states he's pulling more from Hillary. His whole campaign seems to be structured on going after Berniebots and disgruntled left-leaning independents.

[elcorazon]

From almost all polls I've seen, Trump does better in the 4-way than in the 2-way, despite a candidate (Johnson) that should appeal more to the centre-right area. Why?

not all people who are center right are so dumb they actually want Trump to win. Unfortunately, some still can't vote for Hillary, so they vote Johnson (at least in the polls) Hopefully they will, for the most part, come to their senses before Election Day.

[ProudModerate2]

From almost all polls I've seen, Trump does better in the 4-way than in the 2-way, despite a candidate (Johnson) that should appeal more to the centre-right area. Why?

not all people who are center right are so dumb they actually want Trump to win. Unfortunately, some still can't vote for Hillary, so they vote Johnson (at least in the polls) Hopefully they will, for the most part, come to their senses before Election Day.

Some will. Those saying that they will vote third party, will vote for either of the two-big-party candidates on the actual day of the election.
So, at minimum, add 1 or 2 points to Hillary.

[Mr. Morden]

I wish more pollsters would follow PPP's lead and give us crosstabs to indicate how much Johnson pulls from Clinton or Trump as opposed to how much Stein pulls from each of them.  From what I can tell from PPP's polls, it looks like Johnson draws evenly from Clinton and Trump whereas Stein draws much more from Clinton.  But it would be great if other pollsters weighed in on this.

[elcorazon]

From almost all polls I've seen, Trump does better in the 4-way than in the 2-way, despite a candidate (Johnson) that should appeal more to the centre-right area. Why?

not all people who are center right are so dumb they actually want Trump to win. Unfortunately, some still can't vote for Hillary, so they vote Johnson (at least in the polls) Hopefully they will, for the most part, come to their senses before Election Day.

Some will. Those saying that they will vote third party, will vote for either of the two-big-party candidates on the actual day of the election.
So, at minimum, add 1 or 2 points to Hillary.

not sure about the "at a minimum" part. A lot will stick with 3rd party. A lot may not even vote. Some will certainly vote Trump, even if it's less than those who switch to Hillary. That said, I hope you're right.