Maverick Republican Sen. John McCain’s vote torpedoing Obamacare reform has done wonders for his approval rating — among Democrats.
The latest Gallup survey revealed that the Arizona senator’s standing among Democrats soared 22 points after the vote, which surprised some in his own party. Currently, 71 percent of Democrats have a favorable view of McCain.
That jump in support helped to offset a decline in Republican favorability since McCain was last tested in the poll two years ago. Among Republicans, McCain’s favorability is 51 percent.
Overall, McCain is viewed favorably by 58 percent, among his highest since losing to former President Obama in the 2008 presidential race.
From Gallup:
The results are based on an Aug. 2-6 Gallup poll, conducted shortly after McCain returned to the Senate from his home in Arizona after having emergency surgery and finding out he had an aggressive form of brain cancer. The return of the self-described “maverick” was eventful, as he joined with two Republicans, 46 Democrats and two independents to oppose the latest — and, for now, final — GOP attempt to repeal “Obamacare.”
Additionally, since Gallup last measured opinions about McCain, he and Donald Trump have had a contentious relationship that includes disagreement on many policy issues and Trump’s criticism of McCain for being captured in the Vietnam War.
Democrats now view McCain much more positively than they did two years ago, with their 71% favorable ratings representing a 22-percentage-point increase since then. Republicans’ opinions have grown more negative, though their 10-point decline (from 61% to 51%) is about half as large as the Democratic increase. Independents’ opinions of McCain are virtually the same as they were two years ago.
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected]
