Trump, Pence have higher voter favorability than Democratic, GOP congressional leaders

'McCarthy and Schumer draw lower numbers for two basic reasons. First, they’re not in charge. Leadership increases negative ratings. Second, they’re less well known' - pollster Scott Rasmussen

By Carrie Sheffield

Published: July 10, 2020 12:27pm

Updated: July 10, 2020 11:07pm

President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence each have higher voting-favorability ratings than the Democratic and Republican leaders of the House and Senate, according to a new Just the News Daily Poll with Scott Rasmussen.

Pence had a 40% approval rating in Friday's polling and Trump had a 42% favorability rating in a June 29 Just the News Daily Poll.

Those numbers compared to 39% for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, 32% for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, 31% for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and 29% for House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy.

Rasmussen noted that Pelosi narrowly edges McConnell for the highest unfavorables (50% to 47%), while McConnell has slightly higher net negatives (minus 16 to minus 11). Those findings were also part of the poll released Friday.

"One weakness for McConnell is that he earns good reviews from just 60% of Republicans," Rasmussen said. "McCarthy and Schumer draw lower numbers for two basic reasons. First, they’re not in charge. Leadership increases negative ratings. Second, they’re less well known. Thirty-eight percent (38%) have never heard of or don’t have an opinion about McCarthy. Twenty-six percent (26%) say the same about Schumer."

Just the News Poll, Do you favor these politicians?

Just the News Daily Poll

With Scott Rasmussen

Just the News Daily Poll respondents were asked “Please let me know whether you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of each of the following?" They responded as below:

	Very Favorable	Somewhat Favorable	Somewhat Unfavorable	Very Unfavorable	Never Heard Of	Not Sure
Vice President Mike Pence	23%	17%	14%	34%	3%	9%
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi	18%	21%	13%	37%	3%	8%
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy	10%	19%	15%	18%	17%	21%
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell	11%	20%	12%	35%	8%	14%
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer	11%	21%	15%	28%	11%	15%

"It is interesting to note that Schumer’s net negatives are the same as Pelosi’s while there is a wide gap between McConnell and McCarthy," Rasmussen said. "That probably reflects the fact that Schumer has been in Senate leadership for a long time. It seems likely that McCarthy’s negatives will go up as he gets better known."

The national survey of 1,200 registered voters was conducted July 2-4, 2020 by Rasmussen, a polling veteran. Margin of sampling error: +/- 2.8% for full sample.

To see the full demographic cross-tabulations for this polling question, click below:

2020-07-10 JTN CROSSTABS.pdf

To see the methodology and sample demographics for this polling question, click below:

JTN Poll July 2-4 2020 Methodology & Sample.pdf