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Trump fails on every major issue except economy: Poll

By PressTV | Last updated: Nov 27, 2018 - 1:05:57 PM

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The majority of Americans disapprove of U.S. President Donald Trump’s personal character traits and his performance on every major issue except the economy, according to a new poll.

While the president had strong grades on the economy, American voters indicated they did not have the same satisfaction with Trump when it came to other major issues, Quinnipiac University poll released Nov. 20 found.

Voters surveyed said they disapproved of Mr. Trump’s overall job performance by 54-41 percent. The president also received negative results when it came to his handling of foreign policy, immigration issues, race relations, gun policy and the California wildfires.

His disapproval rating of 31-51 percent on handling the California wildfires is likely attributed to his recent threats to withhold federal aid to the state and his suggestion that a lack of raking leaves led to the fire.

“Despite recent market downturns, voters are upbeat on what President Donald Trump has brought to the economy but underwhelmed by just about every other aspect of the Trump tenure,” said Tim Malloy, assistant director of the poll.

When it came to character traits, the president also performed very poorly. Most respondents, sometimes by a margin of two-to-one, said Mr. Trump is not rational, a strong person, honest or intelligent, does not have good leadership skills or care about the average American, and does not share voters’ values.

“Not honest, not level headed, not empathetic,” Mr. Malloy said. “The surging economy is offset by deep questions about the president’s character and conduct.”

Most voters who were polled also said that Mr. Trump should release his tax returns and be investigated by Congress if he chooses not to, and support Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation over alleged collusion between Russia and Trump’s 2016 election campaign.

Trump’s high approval ratings when it came to handling the U.S. economy comes as many economists anticipate economic growth to take a hit next year, slowing to a pace of 1.9 percent for 2019.

As concerns about an economic slowdown spread, Trump could potentially lose his main selling point ahead of his re-election bid.

Electoral expert and forecaster Nate Silver of FiveThirtyEight believes the prospect of an economic downturn poses risks for Trump in the 2020 presidential elections. (PressTV.com)