Trump Has Divided Our Country-- Can We Recover? Bernie Discusses With Robert Reich

Oh, what fun-- a new YouGov poll from The Economist. So, what I learned about my fellow Americans today. 37% of Americans (42% of white folk, 32% of independents, 38% of peeps in the Midwest, 77% of self described "conservatives" and 46% of seniors) admit to a pollster that they think that Trump exercises mostly good judgment. So who are the smartest Americans in regard to this? these are the demographics that think he exercises mostly bad judgment:

• The ladies- 54%
• The kids- 59%
• The Blacks- 70%
• The working class- 53%
• Self-described liberals- 87%

And what do we think of Trump's top advisors? Of course a plurality of us don't know who any of them are or have no opinion. But among those who claim to know...

• William Barr- 35% unfavorable and 29% favorable
• Rudy Giuliani- 41% unfavorable and 37% favorable
• Mike Pompeo- 33% unfavorable and 29% favorable

It doesn't matter that much because only 22% think Trump follows his advisers guidance anyway. You know what people do think effects Trump's decisions? His own business interests. The question was "How much do you think Donald Trump's business interests and positions affect his decision making while serving as President?"

• A lot- 41% (Blacks- 58%)
• Some- 22%
• Not much- 17%
• Not at all- 20% (Republicans- 37%)

44% of registered voters said they think he proprieties his business interests over the interests of the country and 51% of Americans are concerned about his potential conflicts of interest.

15% of registered voters have never heard anything about Trump's call with the president of Ukraine and 17% have never heard anything about a whistleblower having something to do with Señor T and the Ukraine. 27% of Americans-- including 31% of seniors, 51% of Republicans , 28% of southerners and 30% of rich people-- say it is "inappropriate for federal employees in the intelligence community to file complaints against the actions of the U.S. President."

How about this question? I thought it was a doozy-- or that the answers were: "Do you think it is appropriate or inappropriate for the President to threaten withholding foreign aid to a country if that country refuses to take an action which personally benefits the President?"

• Appropriate- 14%
• Inappropriate- 63%
• Not Sure- 23%

Wonder how that breaks down. More men than women (17-11%) think it's appropriate. 28% of Republicans think it's appropriate. Rich people think it's more appropriate than non-rich people. And, of course, self-described "conservatives" think it's more appropriate than normal people. They also asked what actions should trigger impeachment and removal from office:

• Perjury- 67%
• Abuse of power- 65%
• Obstruction of justice- 62%
• Tax evasion- 60%
• Violations of campaign finance laws- 53%
• Contempt of Congress- 44%

Are you paying close attention to the 2020 elections? If so, you're in a minority. Just 37% of Americans are paying close attention. 15% are paying no attention at all and 21% say they are only paying "a little attention." But 47% say it is unlikely Trump will be reelected and just 36% say he likely will be.

The poll also looked at Favorability/Unfavorability for the Democratic 2020 candidates. Leaving aside the candidates that no one has heard of enough to have an opinion, let's look at how Democrats and independents feel about the candidates:

• Biden- 67% favorable/28% unfavorable among Dems and 28% favorable/41% unfavorable among Independents
• Cory Booker- 59% favorable/17% unfavorable among Dems and 21% favorable/33% unfavorable among Independents
• Mayo Pete- 62% favorable/12% unfavorable among Dems and 23% favorable/30% unfavorable among Independents
• Tulsi- 28% favorable/28% unfavorable among Dems and 19% favorable/26% unfavorable among Independents
• Kamala- 62% favorable/20% unfavorable among Dems and 22% favorable/69% unfavorable among Independents
• Beto- 57% favorable/17% unfavorable among Dems and 20% favorable/34% unfavorable among Independents
• Bernie- 67% favorable/25% unfavorable among Dems and 32% favorable/43% unfavorable among Independents
• Elizabeth Warren- 76% favorable/12% unfavorable among Dems and 27% favorable/39% unfavorable among Independents

And who do people who say they will participate in the primary say they would vote for if the primary were today?

• Elizabeth Warren- 26%- wins among 30-64 year olds
• Status Quo Joe- 22%- wins among 65+ year old voters
• Bernie- 14%- wins among 18-29 year olds
• Mayo Pete- 7%
• Kamala- 5%
• Andrew Yang- 3%
• Beto- 3%

And this is why this all is meaningful-- especially now as we head towards the 2020 presidential primaries and then, of course, the general: