Trump could rally GOP, reward voters with Paris Agreement exit

If President Trump announces Thursday that he has decided to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Agreement, the move would likely enjoy broad support among Republican voters.

Pulling out of the climate accord would also be seen as a reward to "Trump country": voters in industrial states like Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin or rural areas where environmental regulations are viewed as economically harmful.

Polling on the Paris Agreement, which aims to reduce the negative effects of climate change caused by human activity, is inconsistent. But there is scant evidence Republicans would miss U.S. participation. Trump campaigned on withdrawal, defeating Hillary Clinton, the Democrat who pledged fidelity to it.

Even upscale suburban GOP voters suspicious of Trump and more interested in combating climate change than other Republicans aren't likely to shed tears over a U.S. pullout from Paris.

"The suburban Republicans Trump can get may value a cleaner environment. But they sure don't want the Dutch mandating how we get there," said GOP consultant Brad Todd, who has worked campaigns in Florida, where elections are driven by suburban voters and the environment is a key issue.