House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) has moved into rare political space, reaching an approval rating higher than typical for a top party congressional leader and challenging former President Donald Trump’s approval among Republicans.
With a 52% favorability overall and 71% among Republicans, McCarthy has erased whatever it was that some House conservatives didn’t like about him during the drawn-out, four-day, 15-ballot speaker election controversy in January.
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Allies today suggested that McCarthy’s ability to make good on several promises during that fight, including turning the spotlight on Biden family financial scandals and playing tough with the White House on budget issues, has buoyed support.
Plus, he is known as a good friend of Trump, whose own support in the party has turned up in some polls. In a Texas primary poll just released, Trump is back on top of Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL).
In a Rasmussen Reports survey, McCarthy maintained a 52% somewhat to very favorable rating and 36% unfavorability among all likely voters. With Republicans, his 71% favorability towers over his 18% unfavorability.
Trump, meanwhile, holds an equal 52% favorable rating, but 44% of all likely voters disapprove. And among Republicans, 77% view Trump favorably to 22% who don’t.
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McConnell’s numbers haven’t been helped, it appears, by his recent spell in the hospital and rehabilitation after taking a hard fall last Friday during a fundraiser in Washington. His overall favorable rating is 31% to 60% who view him unfavorably, and Rasmussen said just 32% of Republicans view him somewhat or very favorably.
The pollster also asked the obvious follow-up question of whom among the three is the “better leader for the Republican Party.” As expected, most Republicans chose the former president. Trump was tops at 60%, followed by McCarthy at 19% and McConnell at 13%.
