Reuters/Ipsos Data: Core Political (03/21/2018)

Washington, DC - As we approach the midterm elections in November, Ipsos has begun examining attitudes of registered voters, in addition to all Americans. President Trump’s approval rating remained steady this week with 41% of all Americans approving of his job performance. Democrats are not as generous in their evaluation of Trump, with just 11% approving of Trump’s performance as president. A strong majority of Republicans (82%) approve of Trump’s job performance, while just one in three (33%) Independents approve. Among all registered voters, 44% approve of Trump’s performance. 

Healthcare (17%) continues to top the list of most important problems facing the country today. The economy (12%) is a distant second. Republicans are more likely to view the economy (14%) as the most important problem, followed by immigration and healthcare (both tied at 13%). Democrats view healthcare (24%) as the most important problem, with the economy (11%) coming in at a very distant second. 

More Americans report they would vote for a Democrat (36%) for Congress if the 2018 midterm elections were held today, compared to a Republican (30%). Registered voters are more split on their midterm choice, with 40% reporting they would vote for a Democrat and 37% reporting they would vote for a Republican, if the election were held today. Congress continues to receive a poor evaluation of their job performance, with 21% of all Americans and 23% of registered voters approving of the job Congress is doing as a whole. 

Attorney General Jeff Sessions (17%) has overtaken Senior Adviser, Jared Kushner (14%), for the top spot as the member of the executive branch who is most likely to be terminated or resign in this week’s Ipsos Wh’Exit poll. With rumors circling about National Security Advisor, H.R. McMaster’s, potential dismissal from the White House, he moved up to second place (14%) in the Ipsos Wh’Exit poll this week, now tied with Kushner. 

About the Study

These are findings from an Ipsos poll conducted for Thomson Reuters March 16 -20, 2018. For the survey, a sample of 1,618 Americans, including 536 Democrats,  548 Republicans, 182 Independents ages 18+ were interviewed online. The precision of the Reuters/Ipsos online polls is measured using a credibility interval. In this case, the poll has a credibility interval of plus or minus 2.8 percentage points for all adults, 4.8 percentage points for Democrats, 4.8 percentage points for Republicans, 8.3 percentage points for Independents. For more information about credibility intervals, please see the appendix.
The data were weighted to the U.S. current population data by gender, age, education, and ethnicity. Statistical margins of error are not applicable to online polls. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error and measurement error. Figures marked by an asterisk (*) indicate a percentage value of greater than zero but less than one half of one per cent. Where figures do not sum to 100, this is due to the effects of rounding. To see more information on this and other Reuters/Ipsos polls, please visit http://polling.reuters.com/.

For more information on this news release please contact:

Clifford Young
President, U.S.
Ipsos Public Affairs
202.420.2016
[email protected]

Chris Jackson
Vice President, U.S.
Ipsos Public Affairs
202.420.2011
[email protected]

About Ipsos Public Affairs

Ipsos Public Affairs is a non-partisan, objective, survey-based research practice made up of seasoned professionals. We conduct strategic research initiatives for a diverse number of American and international organizations, based not only on public opinion research, but elite stakeholder, corporate, and media opinion research.

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About Ipsos

Ipsos is an independent market research company controlled and managed by research professionals. Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos has grown into a worldwide research group with a strong presence in all key markets. Ipsos ranks fourth in the global research industry.

With offices in 88 countries, Ipsos delivers insightful expertise across five research specializations: brand, advertising and media; customer loyalty; marketing; public affairs research; and survey management.

Ipsos researchers assess market potential and interpret market trends. They develop and build brands. They help clients build long-term relationships with their customers. They test advertising and study audience responses to various media and they measure public opinion around the globe.

Ipsos has been listed on the Paris Stock Exchange since 1999 and generated global revenues of €1,782.7 million in 2016.