Your Daily Polling Update for Friday, November 12, 2021
BIDEN JOB APPROVAL: AVERAGE 42%
Down 1 since Monday
RON’S COMMENT: Today’s average is based on six polls, ranging from 36% (Federalist/Susquehanna) to 46% (Politico, Reuters). Biden’s disapproval rating averages 52% today (down 1 from Monday), keeping him at 10 points net negative…. Other national job ratings from the latest Monmouth poll:
- Congress: 18% approve/70% disapprove.
- Speaker Nancy Pelosi: 28% approve, 49% disapprove
- Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer: 21% approve, 37% disapprove
WASHINGTON: SENATE 2022
Among voters statewide
Sen. Patty Murray (D) over Tiffany Smiley (R): +18 (49-31)
RON’S COMMENT: Incumbent Murray, who was first elected to the Senate in 1992, posts a solid lead over Smiley in next year’s race. The poll shows that most independents (38%) are undecided, and that Democrat Murray currently wins these swing voters 36-26. Murray polls 89% of Democrats and Republican Smiley, a nurse and veterans affairs advocate, polls 78% of Republicans…. Handicappers rate the race solid or safe Democratic.
CRITICAL RACE THEORY
Among voters nationwide
Heard about CRT: How much have you heard about critical race theory?
A lot: 38%
A little: 42%
Not at all: 19%
Know what CRT is: [Asked of those who have heard at least a little about critical race theory] Do you have a good idea of what critical race theory is?
Yes: 56%
No: 24%
Not sure: 20%
RON’S COMMENT: Note that 80% of voters have heard about CRT and of those and 80% of them say they know something about it––that means about 64% of the total electorate says they have heard about it and have a good idea what it is.
Opinion of CRT: [Asked of those who say they know what critical race theory is] Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of critical race theory?
Favorable: 38%
Unfavorable: 56%
Don’t know: 6%
RON’S COMMENT: A majority of voters (56%) who say they know something about CRT have negative feelings towards it.... Favorability of CRT by demographics:
- 77% of Democrats, 7% of Republicans, 33% of independents have a favorable opinion of CRT.
- 15% of Democrats, 91% of Republicans, 62% of independents have an unfavorable opinion of CRT.
- Blacks: 63% favorable and 33% unfavorable.
- Hispanics: 47% favorable and 45% unfavorable.
- White men without college degrees: 23% favorable and 72% unfavorable.
- White men with college degrees: 34% favorable and 61% unfavorable.
- White women without college degrees: 28% favorable and 61% unfavorable.
- White women with college degrees: 49% favorable and 49% unfavorable.
CRT being taught: Do you believe critical race theory is currently being taught in schools in your community?
Yes: 21%
No: 36%
Not sure: 44%
RON’S COMMENT: 10% of Democrats, 31% of Republicans, 23% of independents believe critical race theory is currently being taught in schools in their community.
Approval of teaching CRT: Do you approve or disapprove of public schools teaching about critical race theory?
Approve: 39%
Disapprove: 50%
Don’t know: 11%
RON’S COMMENT: More voters oppose teaching of CRT in public schools than favor it. By party:
- 16% of Republicans, 75% of Democrats and 40% of independents approve teaching CRT in public schools.
- 78% of Republicans, 15% of Democrats and 45% of independents disapprove teaching CRT in public schools.
- This question was asked in a poll conducted by Monmouth Univ., but the previous poll questions on CRT were asked by The Economist/YouGov poll.
WHICH WARS WERE MISTAKES?
Among voters nationwide
Do you think the United States made a mistake sending troops to fight in the following wars?
% = Yes, a mistake/ Not a mistake
- World War I: 13%/69%
- World War II: 9%/76%
- Korea: 25%/46%
- Vietnam: 57%/22%
- Desert Shield/Desert Storm: 32%/43%
- Afghanistan: 48%/33%
- Iraq: 51%/30%
RON’S COMMENT: A majority of voters believe Vietnam and Iraq were mistakes. Near half think Afghanistan was a mistake. Note: None of the wars since World War II draw majorities who think it was NOT a mistake (ranging from 22% to 46%). By party:
- 63% of Democrats, 30% of Republicans, 51% of independents say Iraqwas a mistake.
- 56% of Democrats, 32% of Republicans, 51% of independents say Afghanistan was a mistake.
- 66% of Democrats, 43% of Republicans, 57% of independents say Vietnam was a mistake.
SOURCES
Presidential job rating average based on recent nationwide polls.
WASHINGTON: SurveyUSA, Oct. 25-28
WHICH WARS WERE MISTAKES: The Economist/YouGov, Nov. 6-9
CRITICAL RACE THEORY: The Economist/YouGov, Nov. 6-9; the last question in this section is from a poll by Monmouth Univ., Nov. 4-8
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