Optimism for President Trump Drops Significantly in 2017
12/18/2017
True for Republicans, Democrats, and Independents. Same true for satisfaction with current performance.
Optimism for President Trump dropped significantly in 2017.
The falloff in optimism occurred for all political affiliations.
In terms of satisfaction, President Trump started off with lower satisfaction than the levels with which President Obama ended his term.
Not surprisingly, dissatisfaction broke along party lines with the Republicans being disgruntled with Obama, the Democrats dissatisfied with Trump and the Independents in the middle.
However, Trump did not have a honeymoon period either before or during his first year. He also fell off in satisfaction over the course of the year, with nearly half of the population not at all satisfied with his performance. Interestingly, the minor gains he was able to earn came from Independents not traditional Republicans.
It is highly unlikely that this overall pattern of lack of optimism and dissatisfaction will change with the expected passage of tax reform legislation at the end of the year.
Survey Methodology
The Fishlinger Center conducts online national surveys focusing on political issues in the United States. The fieldwork for the polls is conducted using a blended national panel from Survey Sampling Inc. Interviews were conducted January 2 through December 15, 2017 with 2000 adults. The credibility interval is plus or minus three percentage points. The credibility interval is larger for subgroups and for differences between polls.
In addition to credibility interval, the polls are subject to other potential sources of error including, but not limited to coverage and measurement error. Data were rim weighted to match the national population on age, sex, Hispanic origin and race. Question wording and topline results are available at fishlingercenter@mountsaintvincent.edu.
About the Fishlinger Center for Public Policy
The Fishlinger Center for Public Policy Research opened in February 2015 at the College of Mount Saint Vincent. The Center conducts deep and broad studies of public opinion on key public policy concerns through independent and objective research conducted by students, faculty, and other members of the academic community.
By providing a forum for discourse that can stimulate intelligent dialog about issues that deeply affect all Americans, the Center illustrates and enhances the relationship between the work of the College and the common good.
James F. Donius, Ph.D., director of the Fishlinger Center for Public Policy Research at the College of Mount Saint Vincent, is available to speak to members of the press about the survey, the Fishlinger Optimism Index™, and the Center. To arrange an interview, or for more information about the study, please contact Public Relations at publicrelations@mountsaintvincent.edu.
About the College of Mount Saint Vincent
Founded in 1847 by the Sisters of Charity, the College of Mount Saint Vincent offers nationally recognized liberal arts education and a select array of professional fields of study on a landmark campus overlooking the Hudson River. Committed to the education of the whole person, and enriched by the unparalleled cultural, educational, and career opportunities of New York City, the College equips students with the knowledge, skills, and experiences necessary for lives of achievement, professional accomplishment and leadership in the 21st century.