Trump hits record high ‘strongly disapprove’ rating as midterms approach

The useful part

"There's record hatred for the president of the United States going into a midterm." Trump also fares worse with independent voters, with 56 percent expressing strong disapproval, Enten said. "Among the group that determines elections in this country, you see the hatred for the president of the United States. Bush held the record when 41 percent of Americans strongly disapproved of his job performance ahead of the 2006 midterm elections, according to CNN's chief data analyst.

How it works

• While Trump's "historically polarizing" effect on American voters has sometimes worked to his benefit, Enten said, it's not doing so now.
• The latest so-called generic congressional ballot polling average shows Democrats with an 8.7 percent edge over Republicans, according to data posted Friday by Real Clear Polling.
• That's because the president's "strongly approve" rating is just 18 percent, one-third less than the average 27 percent for previous presidents going into the midterms — including Trump in 2018, Enten said.
• "So, Trump actually has fewer people loving him than what we see with the average president," he said.
• Trump is now a lame duck, like Bush was in 2006, when Democrats gained control of both chambers by flipping 31 seats in the House and five in the Senate, along with two seats won by independents who...

What to take from it

House, with 15 races shifting in their favor, largely because voters are unhappy with Trump's handling of the economy. Democrats have enjoyed an "incredible upswing" during September, when they began with a generic congressional ballot lead of 6.7 percent, according to the Silver Bulletin. That's now up to 8.1 percent, or 8.8 percent with a "likely voter" adjustment, according to the Silver Bulletin.

Example or evidence

• Senate is 53-47, and The Cook Political Report described it Wednesday as a "true toss-up" after three races shifted toward Democrats.

Details worth keeping

"They don't just dislike him," Harry Enten said. This is what the voters are saying now," he said.

Related coverage

• Cleveland: Harry Enten explained on Friday that Trump also has the strongest disapproval ratings for any president just before a midterm election.
• Blogforarizona: An American Research Group poll published this week found Trump's approval at just 29 percent — a new low for his presidency and a flashing warning sign for the congressional Republicans being dragged...
• Qcnews: President Trump's approval rating has dipped to a historic low with the midterms only about six weeks away, according to a new poll.
• Wkbn: President Trump's approval rating has dipped to a historic low with the midterms only about six weeks away, according to a new poll.
• Independent: President Trump has reached 'record hatred' polling numbers, analysts say