Poll revealing ratings boost for Trump worries Democrat rivals

The US president is savouring a poll finding that 71 per cent of Americans rate the economy as good. And the Democrats are nervous.

The poll gave Mr Trump added delight because it was commissioned by CNN, the television network that he often attacks as “fake news”. Picture: Saul Loeb/AFP

Almost three quarters of Americans believe the US economy is in good shape, the highest rating for 18 years, in a boost for President Trump as his personal ratings also set a new benchmark.

Mr Trump’s disapproval rating has fallen to 51 per cent, the lowest of his presidency. Forty-two per cent of Americans approve of him, the joint highest score since his first months in office and one point higher than Reagan at this stage in his first term.

The poll gave Mr Trump, 72, extra reason to cheer because it was commissioned by CNN, the television network that he often attacks as “fake news”. The figures also raised questions for the Democrats seeking to challenge him. For most Democratic voters — 56 per cent — a candidate’s ability to beat Mr Trump was most important. Only 35 per cent said it was most important that the candidate share their values.

In the race to take on Mr Trump in 2020, the polling showed some of the fresher Democratic faces rising while older candidates fell. Joe Biden, the former vice-president who has yet to declare a run, maintains a strong lead as first choice for 28 per cent of Democrats, down two points from December.

Bernie Sanders, 77, the independent left-wing senator from Vermont, has fallen six points to 20 per cent. The big riser was Kamala Harris, the 54-year-old California senator, up eight points to third place at 12 per cent. Beto O’Rourke, 46, the former Texas congressman, was up two points at 11 per cent.

Amazingly, CNN just released a poll at 71%, saying that the economy is in the best shape since 2001, 18 years! WOW, is CNN becoming a believer?

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 19, 2019

The president revelled in the finding that 71 per cent of Americans rated the economy as good. “Amazingly, CNN just released a poll at 71 per cent, saying that the economy is in the best shape since 2001, 18 years! WOW, is CNN becoming a believer?” he tweeted.

Mr Trump did not reap all the benefit, however, with his handling of the economy rated positive by 51 per cent of Americans and his tax policy winning only 42 per cent approval.

The president’s tough stance on immigration was given just 39 per cent approval and his stewardship of foreign affairs 40 per cent.

If the mantra of Bill Clinton’s 1992 campaign — “It’s the economy, stupid” — holds good then Democrats will struggle to unseat Mr Trump. The polling also found that 42 per cent of Americans said they were better off now than three years ago, 41 per cent were about the same and 15 per cent worse off.

Senior Democrats appeared concerned by the figures and sent supporters an email seeking donations.

“The reality we face is that this race will be closer than any of us are hoping for, and we can’t take anything for granted,” wrote Tom Perez, chairman of the Democratic National Committee. “Trump’s campaign already has a nearly dollars 130 million war chest, and they’ve been actively campaigning since the day he took office.”

Mr Biden has told close supporters that he will enter the Democratic race soon and is seeking large donations so he can launch on the front foot, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Candidates are trying to outdo one another in the so-called “money primary”, an early indication of who will have the staying power to win the nomination next year. The field is led by Mr O’Rourke, who raised dollars 6.1 million in the first 24 hours after launching his campaign, just pipping the dollars 5.9 million raised by Mr Sanders on his first day.

The Times