AP-NORC poll: US course at record low, Trump sinks on virus

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By JULIE PACE and HANNAH FINGERHUT

WASHINGTON (AP) — With the November election 100 days away, more Americans say the country is heading in the wrong direction than at any previous point in Donald Trump’s presidency, putting the incumbent in a perilous position as his reelection bid against Democrat Joe Biden enters a pivotal stretch.

A new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research also finds Trump’s approval for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic falling to a new low, with just 32% of Americans supportive of his approach. Even Trump’s standing on the economy, long the high water mark for the president, has fallen over the past few months after seeming ascendant earlier this year.

Those political headwinds have sparked a sudden summer shift in the White House and the Trump campaign. After spending months playing down the pandemic and largely ignoring the virus’ resurgence in several states, Trump warned this past week that the situation is likely to get worse before it gets better. After repeatedly minimizing the importance of wearing masks to limit the spread of the virus, Trump urged Americans to do exactly that. And after insisting he would press forward with a large campaign convention in August, the president announced that he was scrapping those plans.

Trump’s abrupt about-face underscores the reality of the situation he faces just over three months from Election Day. Even as he tries to refocus his contest with Biden on divisive cultural issues and an ominous “law and order” message, Trump’s reelection prospects are likely to be inextricably linked to his handling of the pandemic and whether voters believe the country will head back in the right direction under his leadership.


Read more: https://apnews.com/43a096bc2bcf376de04b696c5143ee99

[Skittles]

1. the mentality of ANYONE who thinks America is heading in the right direction

[Yavin4]

5. Jeff Bezos does.

He's closing in on being a trillionaire.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2020/05/14/jeff-bezos-worlds-first-trillionaire-sparks-heated-debate/5189161002/

[iluvtennis]

8. But the majority ofthe 32% that says trump is doing a good job handling covid are at the opposite

end of the wealth spectrum of Bezos.

[bucolic_frolic]

2. Just don't give people a reason to change their minds

There is no "pivotal stretch". You gonna have a fine time trying to convince people that what's going on is good.

[Firestorm49]

3. That's if he doesn't create civil war first so that he can declare martial law.

[SergeStorms]

4. So this is why Trump suddenly cares about the virus.

Not that he gives a crap about Americans contracting the virus, not that he gives a crap if they should all die from the virus, his poll numbers are on the bottom of the ocean, so now he cares about the virus. Bullshit, Little Donnie. Bullshit.

[Rebl2]

6. I'm

shocked that it is that high-32%. He has done to little to late. To take this virus seriously now, really! You should have done so when you learned about it back in December or January.

[SWBTATTReg]

7. Anyone left not wearing a mask or social distancing are the idiots that kiss and lick rump's

fungus riddled feet. I bet a lot of them are now feeling the impact of their stupid behavior in not wearing masks etc. by being forbidden to enter stores to shop (no one will let them in) etc. as well as falling sick and perhaps dying (bringing everyone around them too down). What can one say? I am out of sorrow for these people and frankly I don't care if they get sick and die. They certainly don't give a damn bit about the rest of us, who are wearing masks, who are social distancing, who are minimizing contacts w/ others so we can, as a Country, stop this thing in its tracks.

[MissMillie]

9. You know that when his approval #s are this low

That the ONLY way he can win re-election is to steal it.

Voter suppression, gerrymandering, closing polling places, slowing down the mail (yes some states vote by mail and have been for years)...

...and let's not forget that the bill funding election security has been on Mitch McConnell's desk for a year and a half now.

[zanana1]

10. That's what I'm worried about.

This is one of those situations where I'd love to be proven wrong.