DESIRE GROWS FOR THIRD PARTY

Among adults nationwide

Results from recent nationwide Gallup poll:

• 62% of Americans say a third political party is needed, that’s up from 57% in September.
• 63% of Republicans, 46% of Democrats and 70% of independents say a third party is needed.
• Democrats want their party to go in a more liberal direction (34%), as opposed to 25% who want it to go in a more moderate one (25%). However, Democratic-leaning independents want the party to become more moderate, 42% to 35%.
• 68% of Republicans want Trump to be their party’s leader, while 31% want a new leader.
• 40% of Republicans want their party to become more conservative, while 34% want it to stay the same and 24% want it to become more moderate.
• According to the Gallup report: “The survey found Americans’ favorable opinion of the Republican Party has declined to 37%, while 48% view the Democratic Party positively. The poll also shows 50% of U.S. adults identifying as political independents, the highest percentage Gallup has ever measured in a single poll. Gallup first asked about the need for a third party in 2003. At that time, most Americans did not think it was necessary, with 56% saying the parties were doing an adequate job representing the American people and 40% saying a third party was needed.”
• For the full Gallup report, read here

FLORIDA: 2024 REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION

Among Republican voters statewide in Florida

For GOP presidential nomination:
Ron DeSantis: 64%
Marco Rubio: 12%
Rick Scott: 10%

RON’S COMMENT: There are three possible GOP presidential contenders in Florida, and the one now leading the pack is the state’s strongly pro-Trump governor, DeSantis. Senators Rubio and Scott rate far behind. The poll, taken among Florida’s Republican voters by Trump’s campaign pollster Tony Fabrizio, also finds that 67% of Republicans in the state believe DeSantis is the biggest Trump supporter of the three; Scott only receives 9% and Rubio gets 7%…. On Jan. 6, Rubio voted to certify the Electoral College vote count showing Joe Biden won the national election, while Scott voted against doing so.

VACCINE ROLLOUT

Among voters nationwide

Are you satisfied with the coronavirus rollout in your area?

Satisfied with rollout: 59%
Dissatisfied with rollout: 41%

RON’S COMMENT: The poll find that 70% of Democrats are satisfied with the vaccine rollout in their area, while 50% of independents and 51% of Republicans agree.

BIDEN AND THE PANDEMIC

Among voters nationwide

Do you approve or disapprove of the job President Biden is doing on handling the coronavirus pandemic?

Approve: 64%
Disapprove: 36%

RON’S COMMENT: Though Biden’s approval rating on handling the coronavirus pandemic continues to be high, it’s down 5 points since he entered the White House.

TUESDAY TRIVIA

Who was the only person to be both a child and a parent of a U.S. president?

(See answer below)

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TRIVIA ANSWER

John Scott Harrison.
He was the son of President William Henry Harrison and the father of President Benjamin Harrison.
John Scott Harrison served in the U.S. House from Ohio (1853-1857). After he died in 1878, his body was stolen by grave robbers (and eventually was found and returned).