LUNCHTIME POLITICS: Zelensky More Popular Than U.S. Politicians – DeSantis and Independent Women – Florida – Washington – Mississippi
Your Daily Polling Update for Tuesday, March 21, 2023
BIDEN JOB APPROVAL: AVERAGE 43%
Down 2 from Wednesday
RON’S COMMENT: Biden takes a slight dip…. Today’s average is based on four polls. Biden’s disapproval rating averages 52% (+2 since Wednesday), putting him at 9 points net-negative…. In The Economist/YouGov poll, Biden’s job approval is 75% among Democrats, 31% among independents, 18% among Republicans, 38% among whites, 65% among blacks and 41% among Hispanics.
- A new Monmouth poll is out that shows VP Kamala Harris with a job rating of 36% approve and 53% disapprove.
PRESIDENT: 2024
Among voters statewide
FLORIDA GENERAL ELECTION
Among all voters
- Ron DeSantis over Joe Biden: +3 (46-43-7)
- Joe Biden and Donald Trump: even (44-44-9)
RON’S COMMENT: DeSantis beats Biden in Florida, while Trump ties Biden. One interesting finding from the poll report: “DeSantis has a potential problem with independent voters [in Florida]. Over half, 51%, of independents disapprove of the job DeSantis is doing as Governor. Driving these voters’ disapproval of DeSantis is independent women, 61% of whom disapprove of DeSantis. Also among independent voters 50% disapprove of DeSantis handling of education, 43% approve.” (poll by Emerson)
FLORIDA REPUBLICAN PRIMARY
Among Republican primary voters
- Donald Trump: 47%
- Ron DeSantis: 44%
- Mike Pence: 4%
- Nikki Haley: 2%
- Mike Pompeo: 1%
- Tim Scott: 1%
- Other: 2%
RON’S COMMENT: This Florida poll is not so good for DeSantis. Previously in other polling, he was leading Trump in the state by a wide margin. (poll by Emerson)
SENATE: 2024
Among voters statewide
WASHINGTON STATE
Sen. Maria Cantwell (D) over Jamie Herrera Beutler (R): +15 (50-35)
RON’S COMMENT: Cantwell appears to be in pretty good shape for re-election. Herrera Beutler is a former member of the U.S. House (2011-23); she lost the GOP primary in 2022 after voting to impeach Trump…. Handicappers rate the race solid or safe D…. (poll by PPP-D)
GOVERNOR: 2023
Among voters statewide
MISSISSIPPI
Gov. Tate Reeves (R) over Brandon Presley (D): +7 (46-39)
RON’S COMMENT: This poll shows incumbent Reeves with a clear lead over Public Service Commissioner, and distant Elvis relative, Presley. However, voters are not thrilled with Reeves: His rating is a lackluster 39% favorable/34% unfavorable/22% neutral. The good news for Democrat Presley is that 15% of voters are undecided and: “The highest rates of undecided voters occur among independents (21%), black Mississippians (20%), and women (17%). All three groups presently break, in varying degrees, toward Presley.” This means Presley has more growth potential than does Reeves, who is also better known. (poll by Mason-Dixon)
PERSONAL RATINGS
Among U.S. voters nationwide
% = Favorable/ Unfavorable
- Vladimir Putin: 13%/81%
- Volodymyr Zelensky: 61%/24%
- Joe Biden: 47%/51%
- Donald Trump: 45%/53%
- Kevin McCarthy: 39%/44%
- Mitch McConnell: 27%/61%
- Chuck Schumer: 39%/45%
- Hakeem Jeffries: 32%/30%
RON’S COMMENT: Note that Zelensky is much more popular in the U.S. than U.S. politicians…. Putin is highly radioactive among Americans; it would not be smart for any presidential candidate to appear to be sympathetic to him…. Also note that this poll was conducted before any legal action was taken against Trump this week. If legal action is taken, this poll gives us a baseline to measure against. (poll by The Economist/YouGov)
TRIVIA
Which presidential candidate received more than 900,000 votes after he was convicted of a felony?
(See answer below)
SOURCES
Presidential job rating average based on recent nationwide polls.
Publication schedule: Lunchtime Politics publishes when important new polling data is available, usually at least once a week. When we get closer to the next round of elections, we will resume daily publication. Thanks to all our readers and best of health, Ron
TRIVIA ANSWER
Eugene V. Debs, a socialist, was convicted of violating the Espionage Act and imprisoned in 1919; supporters sponsored a protest, which became violent. Debs ran his fourth campaign for president from a federal prison in 1920 and received 914,000 votes, running third nationwide. His campaign buttons read “Prisoner 9653.”