Reuters/Ipsos Data: Core Political (03/13/2019)

Washington, D.C. - As Americans adjust their clocks for daylight savings, only few see bright days ahead for the country. A third (31%) of Americans think the country is heading in the right direction. Republicans (61%) are more likely to have a positive outlook on the direction of the country than Democrats (10%) or Independents (25%).  

President Trump’s overall approval among all Americans is 41%, up two points from last week. Republicans are the stronghold of President Trump’s approval, with 81% agreeing that he is doing a good job as president. About a third of Independents (35%) approve of the way Trump is handling the presidency. Democrats continue to be critical of the president, with just 9% approving.

When it comes to specific issues, President Trump receives the most support on how he is handling employment and jobs (51%). Americans also approve of the way he is handling the U.S. economy (49%) and immigration (45%), the two pillars of his campaign promises.  Americans are most critical of President Trump when it comes to Russia (36%), corruption (37%), the environment (37%) and healthcare reform (39%).

As Congress is finishing up its current legislation section before the March recess, 22% of Americans approve of the way Congress as a whole is handling its job. Twenty-eight percent of Democrats and 22% of Republicans approve of Congress. When it comes to their Congressperson, both Democrats (55%) and Republicans (52%) have similar approval ratings. Forty-six percent of Americans approve of their Congressperson.

Healthcare (18%) and immigration (16%) continue to be the most important problems facing the U.S. today. Perceptions of the main issues are shaped by political identity: A third (30%) of Republicans think immigration is the most important problem, and a quarter of Democrats (25%) think healthcare is the main problem.

About this Study

These are findings from an Ipsos poll conducted for Thomson Reuters between March 6 - March 12, 2019. For the survey, a sample of 2,207 Americans, including 756 Democrats, 809 Republicans, and 408 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, 4.1 percentage points for Democrats, 3.9 percentage points for Republicans, and 5.5 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.