2018 US Politics - Over half of Americans (55%) Believe that America is on the Wrong Track (February 7)
Listen to The Point Being, a podcast from the Ipsos Polling Team, where Phil Elwood, Chris Jackson and Mallory Newall discuss this week’s numbers.
Following the State of the Union address last week, President Trump’s approval rating stands at 40% among all Americans, virtually unchanged from the previous week (41%). Democrats (13%), Independents (33%), and Republicans (80%) vary greatly in their positive perceptions of President Trump’s job performance. On a state-by-state basis, Trump’s approval has dropped in Montana, Nevada, and South Dakota, but risen in Iowa and Vermont. Wyoming, West Virginia, and Alaska continue to have the strongest perceptions of President Trump’s approval.
Over half of Americans (55%) believe that America is on the wrong track, with healthcare (19%) continuing to be the top concern for Americans. The economy (12%) and immigration (12%) are tied for second as the most important problems facing America, and terrorism (11%) is a close third. Republicans are primarily concerned with immigration (20%) and terrorism (17%), while Independents and Democrats are concerned with healthcare (16% and 25%, respectively) and the economy (16% and 13%, respectively).
When asked if the 2018 midterm elections were held today, Americans continue to give Democrats (38%) more vote share than Republicans (31%). Overall, Americans continue to be harsh in their evaluation of Congress’ job as a whole, with just one fifth of Americans (21%) approving. When asked about their own congressional representative, however, more Americans approved (44%) than disapproved (34%).
