President Trump's approval & our view of the direction of the country
Bottom Line: This is a weekly story to get a reality/temperature check regarding what's really going on with public opinion of the President and our view of the direction of the country. First here's the high point, low point and current ratings for President Trump...
- Trump's lowest ratings: 37% approval and 59% disapproval: -22% (8/4/17)
- Trump highest approval ratings 45% approval and 43% disapproval (1/27/17): +2%
- Trump's current ratings: 44% approval and 53% disapproval: -9%
President Trump’s net approval has held near his all-time high as we’re entering Election Day, but he did give back up a couple points this week in his net approval rating. As I think about it, it’s not surprising. It’s hard to imagine someone who doesn’t have an opinion of the President. For the 3% who currently don’t have one you have to wonder... Also, context is key for these ratings...
As has been the case for almost his entire presidency, Trump’s approval rating is highest with the more engaged/informed politically though, the gap has narrowed considerably as we’re closing in on Election Day.
- With adult only samples his rating over the past week averaged: 40%
- Registered voters: 44%
- Likely voters: 45%
For comparison's sake his approval rating is now one point higher than President Obama's average approval rating on this date in his second year in office and two points higher with likely voters.
Looking at the direction of the country this week...
Where we stood on Inauguration Day:
- Right Direction: 30%
- Wrong Track: 59%
- Net: -29%
Today:
- Right Direction: 40%
- Wrong Track: 54%
- Net: -14%
Change: +15% under Trump & -3% over a week ago
After three consecutive weeks of surging optimism we saw a dip this week. Given the hostilities of the political cycle coming to a head along with the news cycle including a mail bomber and an Anti-Semitic killer – it's not a surprise we’d be a bit less optimistic this week. Still, when you consider that we’re 15% more optimistic as a county as compared with the previous election cycle... One wonders if that’ll translate for Republicans on Tuesday.
-Until next week...