Voters differ in polls
DONALD Trump has historically low approval ratings, but would still have voters’ support in a row with Congress, polls suggested on Wednesday.
Fresh surveys showed Trump’s popularity is languishing – threatening to sap his political capital just weeks into a four-year term.
A Quinnipiac University poll reported 38% of voters think Trump is doing a good job. Fifty-five percent believe he is doing a bad job.
That is unparalleled for a modern president so early in his term.
Perhaps worse for the White House, 63% of voters said Trump is not levelheaded and 55% said he is not honest.
For any normal politician, those numbers would be disastrous – emboldening political rivals and encouraging allies to keep their distance.
Many in Washington are already looking toward Congressional elections next year, which present a challenge for incumbent Republicans.
Mid-term elections often serve as a referendum on the president and Democrats are baying to retake 24 seats and assume control of the House of Representatives, which would put a serious check on Trump’s agenda.
Congressional Republicans privately fret that opposing Trump could invite angry tweets, a grassroots firestorm and perhaps even a Trumpite challenger in the next party primary. They may have reason to worry. A Pew Research poll released on Wednesday showed rank-and-file Republicans are still likely to back Trump in an argument with party lawmakers.
“About half of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents [52%] say that if Trump and Republican congressional leaders disagree on an issue, they would be more likely to trust Trump,” Pew said. — AFP