TRUMP JOB APPROVAL: AVERAGE 44%

Same as yesterday

RON’S COMMENT: Today’s average is based on four polls, ranging from 43% (Reuters, Politico) to 46% (Rasmussen). The fourth poll has it at 44%…. President Trump’s disapproval rating averages 54% today (same as yesterday), which is 10 points higher than his approval rating.

A note to our readers:
Due to the slump in the presidential nomination race and the shifting of national attention to coronavirus, Lunchtime Politics will publish Tuesdays and Thursdays during the next few weeks. As soon as political polling gears up again, we will return to daily publication. But, don’t worry, YOU WON’T MISS ANYTHING––we will continue to cover all the important national and state polls.
BEST WISHES FOR GOOD HEALTH TO ALL OUR READERS!
Ron

BIDEN VS. TRUMP ON THE ISSUES

Among voters statewide

Who do you trust more to handle each of the following issues?

% = Biden/Trump
Coronavirus: 38%/38% (even)
Foreign policy: 42%/39% (Biden +3)
The future of the country: 42%/38% (Biden +4)
Solving America’s biggest problems: 40%/38% (Biden +2)
Leadership during a crisis: 42%/39% (Biden +3)
Uniting the country: 42%/33% (Biden +9)

RON’S COMMENT: Voters are evenly split on which candidate they’d trust most to handle the coronavirus outbreak, but Biden posts small to modest leads on other matters. Biden does best on uniting the country…. On coronavirus, Biden leads Trump 74-7 among Democrats, but Trump leads Biden 31-30 among independents and 78-5 among Republicans.

ISSUE HANDLING BY PARTY

Among voters nationwide

Who do you trust more to handle each of the following issues? 

% = Democrats in Congress/Republicans in Congress
National security: 35%/45% (R+10)
The economy: 37%/43% (R+6)
Gun policy: 39%/40% (R+1)
Immigration: 41%/40% (D+1)
Coronavirus: 35%/32% (D+3)
Healthcare: 46%/35% (D+11)
Education: 46%/34% (D+12)
Protecting Social Security/Medicare: 46%/33% (D+13)
Harassment/misconduct in workplace: 43%/27% (D+16)
The environment: 48%/29% (D+19)

RON’S COMMENT: Republicans in Congress do best on national security and the economy. Democrats in Congress do best on the environment, harassment/misconduct in workplace, education and healthcare. Note that Democrats in Congress have a 3-point edge on handling the coronavirus.

SENATE: MONTANA

Among voters statewide

Steve Bullock (D) and Sen. Steve Daines (R): even (47-47)

RON’S COMMENT: Bullock, the Democratic governor, is challenging Republican senate incumbent Daines. This poll shows an even race. Daines’ rating is 45% favorable/42% unfavorable. Bullock’s rating is 49% favorable/40% unfavorable. Trump is 50% favorable/45% unfavorable in Montana. This is one to watch. Handicappers rate the general election lean Republican.

POSTPONING PRIMARIES

Among voters nationwide

As you may know, Louisiana recently decided to postpone its upcoming Democratic presidential primary that was originally scheduled for Saturday April 4th. Based on what you know, should other states follow Louisiana’s example and postpone upcoming primaries and caucuses?

• Yes, states with upcoming primaries and caucuses should postpone them: 41%
• No, states with upcoming primaries and caucuses should hold them as scheduled: 24%
• No opinion: 35%

RON’S COMMENT: Voters favor postponing primaries. Interestingly, there is little difference by party.

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SOURCES

Presidential job rating average based on recent nationwide polls.
BIDEN VS. TRUMP, PARTY ISSUE HANDLING, POSTPONING PRIMARIES: Politico/Morning Consult, March 13-16
MONTANA: PPP(D), March 12-13

TRADE GROUPS AND PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES:
Now is the time to survey your members.
As the coronavirus adds new challenges to a range of professions and businesses, it’s more important than ever that national associations and societies survey their memberships. It’s crucial to stay on top of the issues that are impacting individual members: How is the pandemic affecting business and practices? What are the challenges? How can a national association help? What government policies are needed? Certus Insights, a full-service survey research firm based in the DC area specializes in confidential member surveys and studies.
For more information on membership surveys, contact Andrew Rugg at andrew.rugg@certusinsights.com. To see the quantitative and qualitative research offerings from Certus, go to link.
Now is the time to know what your members need.