This is one of two weekly tracking stories to get a reality/temperature check regarding what's really going on with public opinion of the President. In this series we'll track the high point, low point and current ratings...
Trump's lowest ratings:
37% approval
59% disapproval
Total: -22% (8/4/17)
Trump highest approval ratings:
45% approval
43% disapproval
Total: +2% (1/27/17)
Trump's current ratings:
42% approval
55% disapproval
Total: -13%
After gains in his approval rating for four of the past five weeks - we saw a step back with a three percent decline in his net approval this week. This somewhat mirrors what we've seen with the direction of the country question this week in the wake of the Parkland shooting. Rather than the focus being on the benefits of tax reform - the onus has been a politically charged gun control environment. As an aside that's not where this story stops. The narrative I've advanced for months about the difference in informed and engaged people compared to the least informed and engaged continues to be a huge story-line.
As I've been tracking for several months now...The more likely someone is to vote, the higher the President's overall approval rating.
With adult only samples his rating over the past week averaged: 39%
Registered voters: 42%
Likely voters: 48%
That's an incredible gap and story-line that's continuing to play out. A 9-point spread between likely voters vs. adults. This is especially relevant as we're entering the mid-term election cycle with huge issues like DACA/Immigration reform, infrastructure, etc. and of course whatever will be in terms of policy changes in the wake of the Parkland shooting.