The Democratic Party has a 57% unfavorable rating among voters, according to a new Quinnipiac University poll. That is the lowest since 2008, when Quinnipiac began polling this question. Just 31% think favorably of the Democrats.
On the other side of the aisle, the Republican Party has a 43% favorability rating, also the highest since 2008.
In a question asked just one week after Trump was sworn in a president, 46% of voters approve of the job he is doing and 43% disapprove. 11% offered no opinion.
That compares to the same time in January of 2017, after Trump took the oath of office for his first term. Back then, 36% approved of the job he was doing, while 44% disapproved and 19 offered no opinion.
Among Republicans, 86% approve of the job Trump is doing and among Democrats, 86% disapprove. Among independent voters, 41% approve and 46% disapprove, with 13% offering no opinion.
A majority of voters who took part in the survey (54%) said they’re optimistic about the next four years with Trump as president, and 42% are pessimistic. These numbers line up with public opinion that was given to Quinnipiac following Trump’s first inauguration.
Voters are divided on immigration issues, according to the poll. 47% approve of how Trump is handling immigration and 46% disapprove of it, with 7% not offering an opinion.
But to secure the border, Trump has deep support. 60% approve of using U.S. troops at the southern border of the United States to ensure a secure border. 36% disapprove.
That splits somewhat on party lines. 96% of Republicans approve, while 68% of Democrats disapprove. Among independents, 57% approve, while 40% disapprove. Among those in military households, 70% approve, while 26% disapprove.
Among Republicans, the top issue is immigration at 37% followed by the economy at 33% and no other issue reaching double digits.
Among Democrats, the top issue is are “preserving democracy in the United States” at 35%, followed by climate change at 18% and the economy at 14%
Among independents, the top issues are the economy at 24%, preserving Democracy at 23%, and immigration at 13%.
The Alaska Democratic Party will be meeting in Juneau this weekend for its quarterly State Central Committee meeting, and the new polling will give the party officers a lot to think about.
