Reuters/Ipsos Data: Core Political (02/27/2019)
Washington, D.C. - In this week's Reuters/Ipsos Core Political, one in three Americans (30%) report they believe the country is headed in the right direction. Republicans feel the most optimistic about the direction of the country (59%), while Democrats (12%) and Independents (22%) are much less optimistic about where things in America are headed. Independents are more likely to report they are unsure about the direction of the country (17%) than Democrats (6%) or Republicans (10%).
President Trump's approval rating remains unchanged from last week among all Americans (41%). Republicans continue to approve of how Trump is handling his job as president (82%), with half strongly approving (50%). Just one in ten Democrats approve of Trump's job performance (11%), while a full three-quarters strongly disapprove (75%). Independents are also more likely to give Trump a poor evaluation, with just 30% approving of his work.
With President Trump meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Vietnam today to continue talks on denuclearization, Trump receives moderate support on his overall approach to foreign policy (41%). His most popular policies continue to be his handling of the economy (48%) and employment (51%). Americans are much more critical of his handling of Russia (34%), corruption (35%), and the environment (35%), where he receives the lowest approval ratings.
Congressional approval ratings remain abysmally low (23%) this week. There is little difference in how Democrats (27%) and Republicans (23%) regard the legislature. Individual representatives are far more well-liked than Congress as a whole, with nearly double the number of Americans approving of their individual congressperson (43%). A majority of Democrats (51%) and nearly half of Republicans (47%) approve of their legislator. Independents are less likely to approve of their congressperson (32%).
Healthcare (18%), immigration (15%) and the economy (12%) are seen as the biggest problems the country faces by all Americans. However, the disconnect between Republicans and both Democrats and Independents on the major issues continues. Healthcare remains the most salient issue for both Democrats (26%) and Independents (17%), compared to Republicans (10%). Republicans are more likely to say morality (14%) is a bigger concern than healthcare (10%). Immigration is the most important issue for Republicans (30%), but just 7% of Democrats and 9% of Independents feel the same way. Independents (15%) and Democrats (12%) are more likely to report that the economy is a bigger concern than immigration.
About this Study
These are findings from an Ipsos poll conducted for Thomson Reuters between February 20-26, 2019. For the survey, a sample of 3,512 Americans, including 1,426 Democrats, 1,292 Republicans, and 446 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 1.9 percentage points for all adults, 3.0 percentage points for Democrats, 3.1 percentage points for Republicans, and 5.3 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 89 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 €1,780.5 million in 2017.