February 19, 2020: Sixty-one percent (61%) of Americans say they are better off than they were three years ago when President Trump took office.[1]
According to Gallup, that’s a more upbeat assessment than any recent president has enjoyed while beginning their re-election year. When Barack Obama was at the same point in his presidency, 45% said they were better off. For each of the three presidents before Obama, 50% thought they were better off (George W. Bush in 2004, Bill Clinton in 1996, and George H.W. Bush in 1992).[2]
All of those candidates except the first President Bush won re-election.
Sixty percent (60%) of independent voters say they are better off since Trump took office. That, too, is higher than his four predecessors. Previous incumbents seeking re-election received positive reviews from 46% to 50% of independents.
One detail from the 1996 data seems almost unbelievable in today’s hyper-partisan world. When Bill Clinton ran for re-election, there was virtually no partisan divide on this question. Fifty-three percent (53%) of Democrats said they were better off. That view was shared by 50% of independents and 49% of Republicans.
By way of comparison, 89% of Republicans today say they’re better off while just 29% of Democrats agree.
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