The President's approval and our view of the direction of the country for April 13th
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 +2% (1/27/17):
Trump's current ratings: 42% approval and 53% disapproval: -11%
President Trump's overall rating was flat over a week ago, as the President has generally been able to hang onto recently improved approval ratings - especially among likely voters. The difference in approval based on engagement remains the biggest story when discussing President Trump's approval rating. As I've been tracking for many months... The more likely someone is to vote, the higher the President's overall approval rating.
With adult only samples his rating over the past week averaged: 41%
Registered voters: 41%
Likely voters: 49%
It's not the twelve-point gap of a week ago but it's still a big deal. Btw, so is the low end of the President's approval rating at 41%. While clearly not good, it's the first time since last spring that the President's average approval among adults only has been as high as 41%. The narrative generally remains however... The more engaged and informed one is - the higher their approval of the President.
Looking at the direction of the country this week...
Where we stood on Inauguration Day:
Right Direction: 30%
Wrong Track: 59%
Net: -29%
Last Week:
Right Direction: 38%
Wrong Track: 56%
Net: -18%
And Today:
Right Direction: 35%
Wrong Track: 57%
Net: -22%
Change: +7% under Trump & -4% over the previous update.
Unlike the President's approval rating, there was a dip in our view of the direction of the country. Hard to know exactly why but it's hard to imagine that most folks feel good about the Mueller investigation (polling shows that only 20% of the public thinks the Stormy Daniels investigation is relevant). Until next week.