Poll Shows Democrats Leading on Economy

For the first time in nearly a decade, Americans favor Democrats over Republicans as better stewards of the economy, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll. The same poll also found that President Donald Trump's approval rating has fallen to 35%, down from 37% last month. This decline comes as rising energy prices resulting from the Iran war weigh heavily on public perception of the economy.

The Reuters/Ipsos poll, conducted between Wednesday and Monday, showed that 37% of registered voters believe the Democratic Party has a better approach to the U.S. economy, compared to 36% who favor the Republican Party. This marks a notable change from previous polls where Republicans held the advantage on economic issues throughout Trump's first term and into his second term.

Despite the overall decline in public opinion, immigration remains a stronger issue for President Trump among Republican voters, as reported by The Los Angeles Times. About 8 in 10 Republicans continue to approve of Trump's handling of immigration, although this is a slight decline from the beginning of his second term. However, only 39% of U.S. adults approve of Trump's performance on immigration, down from 49% earlier in his term.

The poll also highlighted that Republicans are more likely to approve of Trump's handling of immigration than his management of the economy or Iran. This comes as Democrats prepare to focus on healthcare cuts, cost of living, and the war in Iran during the final 100 days leading up to the midterm elections. The economic sentiment among Americans remains largely negative, with about 7 in 10 adults describing the nation's economy as poor.

The Reuters/Ipsos poll gathered responses from 4,505 U.S. adults and had a margin of error of 2 percentage points. The findings suggest that while Trump maintains strong support within his base on certain issues like immigration, his overall approval rating continues to decline, potentially impacting the Republican Party's chances in the upcoming elections.

Additionally, the poll found that 42% of registered voters would vote for a Democrat in congressional elections and 37% would vote Republican if the contest were held now. Independents picked Democrats over Republicans by 12 percentage points. Trump has dismissed widespread polling showing Americans unhappy with his leadership.

House Democrats are expanding their midterm election target list to include 12 additional Republican-held seats, according to PBS. This move reflects Trump's diminished standing and Democrats' belief they can capitalize on voter frustrations over the economy, Iran war, and the chaotic nature of his administration. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) now targets 58 districts, including some previously considered safe for Republicans.

The expansion includes districts in swing states like Nevada as well as Republican strongholds such as Indiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, and New York. Democrats need just a handful of seats to erase the GOP's narrow House majority. The DCCC notes demographic shifts in these districts that could favor Democratic candidates.