As White House Dysfunction Becomes More Apparent, Trump's Approval Sags

This week's embodiment of corrupt Trumpist dysfunction-- rodeo clown Ryan Zinke

Miss all those polls that we got to read every couple of days in the run-up to the elections? (Did any of them predict a net 40 seats flipping?) A couple of new ones came out today. The one I thought the most worthwhile though was from NBC and the Wall Street Journal.

Generally speaking, fewer people (33%) believe the country is headed in the right direction and more (56%) say it's headed in the wrong direction. Trump's job approval is also down to it's lowest point since last spring-- 43% approve and 54% disapprove. In terms of "feelings" towards Trump... 24% very positive, 13% somewhat positive, 11% neutral, 9% somewhat negative and a whopping 43% very negative. His "very negative" numbers have been in the 40s and 50s since October, 2015 when only 39% of Americans felt that way about him. When asked who do you want to see take the lead role in setting policy for the country- Trump, Republicans in Congress, or Democrats in Congress? Trump was at his lowest point since they began asking in when he first occupied the White House in January, 2017 (when 28% wanted him to take the leading role). It is now just 19% Trump, 21% Republicans in Congress and 48% Democrats in Congress, the highest ever for Democrats in Congress. When registered voters were asked who they would vote for in 2020:

• Definitely Trump- 23%
• Probably Trump- 15%
• Probably the Democrat- 13%
• Definitely the Democrat- 39%

Asked in House Dems should investigate Trump, 55% said yes and 43% said No. More feelings:

• Republican Party: 32% positive, 42% negative
• Democratic Party: 39% positive, 37% negative
• Michelle Obama: 60% postive, 22% negative
• Nancy Pelosi: 28% positive, 41% negative (this is before she kicked Trump's ass in the Oval Office last week)
• China: 10% postive, 46% negative
• Saudi Arabia: 6% positive, 59% negative

• Russia: 6% positive, 58% negative
• FBI- 51% positive, 17% negative
• Robert Mueller: 30% postive, 23% negative

And... speaking of Russia, the FBI and Mueller, here are some relevant questions they asked on the topic of Putin-Gate. Asked in they agree with the statement "Donald Trump has been honest and truthful when it comes to the investigation into Russian interference with the 2016 presidential election and related matters," 34% agreed and 62% disagreed (51% strongly).

Another question: "Based on what you have been seen, read, or heard about Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller’s investigation, has it given you more doubts about Donald Trump's presidency or not?" 50% said more doubts and 44% said no doubts. 34% of respondents said the investigation should end and 45% said it should continue.