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 rose six points over the previous two weeks to reach some of his highest overall approval ratings to date. With seven new polls to consider within the past week his approval rating remained steady with a one percent increase in his disapproval. With the best economy in a generation there are plenty of reasons for the President’s approval rating to be on the rise but there’s nothing especially different about the economy today compared to a week or two ago today however we are that much closer to the midterms – now under five weeks away – and most Americans are becoming more engaged politically as we’re closing in on Election Day.
- With adult only samples his rating over the past week averaged: 41%
- Registered voters: 43%
- Likely voters: 47%
For comparison's sake President Obama's average approval rating on this date in his second year in office was one point higher than President Trump's rating but with likely voters it was three points lower than President Trump’s.
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: 38%
- Wrong Track: 55%
- Net: -17%
Change: +12% under Trump & -3% over a week ago
After hitting the highest level of optimism since December of 2012 two weeks ago it appears that the Kavanaugh drama has taken its toll on our collective view of the country. It’s likely the process/handling/debate regarding the allegations against Brett Kavanaugh factored into our view of our country’s direction.
Until next week...