Reuters/Ipsos Data: Core Political (03/06/2019)

Washington, D.C. -  Americans' perception of the direction of the country has leveled off in the past few weeks - 30% are reporting they feel America is headed in the right direction, unchanged from last week. Republicans are the most optimistic about the future of the country, with 61% reporting they believe America is headed in the right direction. Democrats (11%) and Independents (21%) are much less likely to agree with Republicans. 

President Trump's overall approval rating is at 39% among all Americans. Republicans continue to be strong supporters of the president, with 82% reporting they approve of the job he is doing as president. Democrats remain extremely critical of the president with just 9% approving of the president. Independents are also critical of Trump - just one-third approve (33%) of how he is handling the position. 

When asked about how President Trump handles specific issues, Americans' perceptions are generally unchanged this week. President Trump receives the most support for his handling of the economy (47%) and employment (50%). He receives moderate support on his signature issue of immigration (41%). Americans are most critical of his handling of the environment (34%), corruption (34%), Russia (36%), and how he deals with Congress (36%). 

Nearly half of all Americans (47%) approve of the job their congressperson is doing as representative. Democrats (52%) and Republicans (57%) are much more likely to approve of their representatives than Independents (32%).  When it comes to Congress as a whole, Americans are much less likely to approve of how the legislature is handling its job (25%). Democrats (30%) are more likely to approve of Congress than Republicans (24%) or Independents (21%). 

Americans perceive healthcare (18%), immigration (17%), and the economy (11%) as the biggest problems facing the country today. Perceptions of the major issues facing the country continue to be related to political identity. Republicans feel that immigration (29%), healthcare (14%), and morality (12%) are the biggest problems facing the country. Democrats believe it is healthcare (25%), the economy (11%), the environment (10%), and immigration (9%). Independents are most concerned about healthcare (16%), the economy (15%), and immigration (13%). 

About this Study

These are findings from an Ipsos poll conducted for Thomson Reuters between February 27- March 5, 2019. For the survey, a sample of 3,269 Americans, including 1,305 Democrats, 1,158 Republicans, and 525 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 2.0 percentage points for all adults, 3.1 percentage points for Democrats, 3.3 percentage points for Republicans, and 4.9 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.

Ipsos has media partnerships with the most prestigious news organizations around the world. In Canada, the U.S., UK, and internationally, Ipsos Public Affairs is the media polling supplier to Reuters News, the world's leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals. Ipsos Public Affairs is a member of the Ipsos Group, a leading global survey-based market research company. We provide boutique-style customer service and work closely with our clients, while also undertaking global research.

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 €1,749.5 million in 2018.