LUNCHTIME POLITICS: Popular Vote vs. Electoral College – Biden, Trump Legacies – Proof of Vax – Outlook for 2022

Your Daily Polling Update for Saturday, January 8, 2022

BIDEN JOB APPROVAL: AVERAGE 42%
Up 1 from Monday

RON’S COMMENT: Today’s average is based on four polls, ranging from 40% (USA Today) to 48% (Reuters). Biden’s disapproval rating averages 54% today (same as Monday), putting him at 12 points net negative.

OUTLOOK 2022 
Among voters nationwide

Expectations for the worldGenerally speaking, are you optimistic or pessimistic about what kind of year 2022 will be for the world? 

  • Optimistic: 38%
  • Pessimistic: 32%
  • Neither: 27%

Family’s futureHow do you feel about your family’s future in 2022? 

  • Optimistic: 46%
  • Pessimistic: 22%
  • Neither: 32%

Safe from terror: Compared to 2021, do you think the U.S. will be more or less safe from terrorist attacks in 2022? 

  • Safer in 2022: 12%
  • Less safe: 36%
  • About the same: 41%

In 2022, do you think things will be better off or worse off than they were in 2021 when it comes to: 
 
The economy in your area

  • Better in 2022: 27%
  • Worse in 2022: 33%
  • No change: 29%

The national economy

  • Better in 2022: 27%
  • Worse in 2022: 44%
  • No change: 16%

PRESIDENTIAL LEGACIES
Among voters nationwide

As a President, how do you think [name] will go down in history? 
 
Joe Biden
Outstanding/above average: 21%
Average: 24%
Below average/poor: 47%
 
RON’S COMMENT: 40% of Democrats, 4% of Republicans and 13% of independents say Biden’s legacy will be “outstanding/above average.” Among Democrats, 40% also say Biden’s legacy will be “average” and 11% say “below average/poor.”
 
Donald Trump
Outstanding/above average: 33%
Average: 10%
Below average/poor: 51%
 
RON’S COMMENT: 4% of Democrats, 67% of Republicans and 32% of independents say Trump’s legacy will be “outstanding/above average.” Trump does better among voters from his own party (67%) than Biden does among voters from his own party (40%). Trump also does better among independents (32% vs. 13%). But––Trump has a higher overall “below average/poor” rating than does Biden (51% vs. 47%).

PROOF OF VACCINATION
Among voters nationwide

Do you think people should be asked for proof of vaccination in order to… 
 
% = Yes, ask for vax proof/No, don’t ask

  • Attend a sporting event: 49%/43% 
  • Attend in-person classes: 49%/43%
  • Go to the gym: 49%/44% 
  • Work at an in-person job: 48%/42% 
  • Go to a movie or theater: 47%/45% 
  • Eat out at a restaurant: 42%/49% 
  • Attend an in-person religious service: 41%/49% 

RON’S COMMENT: Overall, there are no clear majorities for or against asking for proof of vaccination under any of these circumstances––but Democrats are much more likely than Republicans to favor asking for proof of vaccinations; for example: Work at an in-person job (77% vs. 23%), eat out at a restaurant (68% vs. 19%), attend an in-person religious service (66% vs. 18%) and attend a sporting event (78% vs. 26%).

JANUARY 6: A YEAR LATER
Among voters nationwide

Protest goals: Thinking about the events at the Capitol last January 6th, which comes closer to your view? 

  • It was a protest aimed at overturning the results of a legitimate presidential election: 53%
  • It was a protest aimed at preventing a fraudulent election: 29%
  • Undecided: 15%

RON’S COMMENT: 56% of Republicans believe January 6 was a protest aimed at preventing fraud.
 
ParticipantsThinking about those who participated in the storming of the Capitol, which of these three statements comes closest to your view? 

  • They were criminals: 50%
  • They went too far, but they had a point: 38%
  • They acted appropriately: 6%

RON’S COMMENT: 85% of Democrats and 46% of independents believe they were “criminals.” However, 66% of Republicans say the participants “went too far, but they had a point.”
  
House Committee investigation of Jan. 6:  Which of the following two statements comes closer to your view? 

  • The House investigation is important for the future of democracy: 53%
  • The House investigation is a waste of time away from other important issues: 42%

2024 Peaceful transitionHow likely do you think it is that there will be a peaceful transition of power after the 2024 presidential election?

  • Likely: 51% 
  • Not likely: 23% 
  • Not sure: 26%

RON’S COMMENT: 58% of Democrats, 50% of Republicans, and 51% of independents believe that a peaceful transition of power after the 2024 presidential election is likely.

SOURCES
Presidential job rating average based on recent nationwide polls.
OUTLOOK 2022, PRESIDENTIAL LEGACIES, PROOF OF VACCINATION: The Economist/YouGov, Jan. 2-4
JANUARY 6: A YEAR LATER: USA Today/Suffolk, Dec. 27-30

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

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