Reuters/Ipsos Data: Core Political (01/09/2019)

Washington, D.C.- While the partial government shutdown remains in effect, the number of Americans who believe the country is headed in the right direction has decreased by 3-points this week, to just 30%. A majority of Republicans (62%) remain positive about the direction of the country, while Independents (28%) and Democrats (11%) are much less optimistic. 

Four in ten Americans (40%) approve of the way President Trump is handling his job as president. Most of his support comes from his Republican base, with 80% of Republicans approving of the job he is doing, including 49% who strongly approve of his job performance. Democrats remain highly critical of President Trump, with just 12% approving of the work he is doing, and 75% strongly disapproving of how he is handling the presidency. President Trump continues to receive moderate support on his policies towards immigration (41%), his signature issue and the main sticking point of the government shutdown. When it comes to employment and jobs, perceptions of Trump policies are more positive, with a majority of Americans supporting his policies (51%).

As Democrats took control of the House of Representatives last week, Democrats are reporting a significant increase in approval of their individual representatives, up ten points from last week to 53%. Republicans remain positive about their individual representatives (50% approve), however, fewer Republicans approve of the job Congress is doing as a whole compared to last week, down six points to 26%. 

While the government remains partially shutdown because of a dispute over funding for a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border, 17% of Americans view immigration as the most pressing issue facing the nation. This number is steady from last week. Healthcare (16%) is closely behind immigration, following by the economy (12%). Republicans (32%) are four times as likely to view immigration as a major issue compared to Democrats (8%) and twice as likely as Independents (16%). 

About this Study

These are findings from an Ipsos poll conducted for Thomson Reuters between January 2-8, 2019. For the survey, a sample of 2,201 Americans, including 886 Democrats, 714 Republicans, and 348 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 2.4 percentage points for all adults, 3.8 percentage points for Democrats, 4.2 percentage points for Republicans, and 6.0 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

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

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