Supporters of President Trump are jazzed most about him because of his fiery personality and demand to put Americans first, not by his major policy moves which only 20 percent cite as issues they like about him.
According to a new survey, 60 percent of those who approve of Trump like style best, especially his calling out people he does not like.
“Among those who approve of Trump’s job performance, a majority (60 percent) point to aspects of his personality – including his leadership style, ability to get things done and putting Americans first – as what they like most,” said the latest Pew Research Center analysis.
However, Pew added, “Far fewer (just 20 percent) cite a policy, or his agenda and values. Among these approvers, just 10 percent mention the economy or economic policy or jobs, and 6 percent cite immigration policy.”
Detractors, meanwhile, cite Trump’s personality as what they dislike most.
“When asked what concerns them most about the way Trump is handling the presidency, those who disapprove of his performance list numerous shortcomings: 29 percent cite Trump’s personality and conduct, 24 percent mention one or more of his policies, 16 percent say he is dishonest or untrustworthy and 11 percent raise concerns over his intelligence and competence,” said Pew.
The survey revealed what may be the largest gulf between Democrats and Republicans ever and all due to Trump.
Just consider the results of Pew asking 4,581 adults if Trump has “improved the way government works.” Some 72 percent of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents said he has while 90 percent of Democrats said he hasn’t.
On Pew’s question of whether Trump has met a “high moral standard for the presidency,” 51 percent or Republicans said yes, 92 percent of Democrats no.
Trump has, however, met the public’s expectations in his presidency. But, said Pew, those expectations were pretty low.
Said Pew: “Majorities of Americans said that if Trump was elected, he would not be likely to improve the way government works, set a high moral standard for the presidency or achieve other goals. And for the most part, the public’s current evaluations of Trump’s administration across these dimensions vary little from these pre-election predictions.”
