WARNING FOR TRUMP – AT 10:31 A.M. ET:  President Trump's approval number is dropping rapidly in the Rasmussen poll, one of the few polls that, until recently, had him up in the fifties.  From Rasmussen: 

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Tuesday shows that 46% of Likely U.S. Voters approve of President Trump’s job performance. Fifty-three percent (53%) disapprove.

The latest figures include 30% who Strongly Approve of the way Trump is performing and 43% who Strongly Disapprove. This gives him a Presidential Approval Index rating of -13. (see trends).

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It looks like winter had one last surprise for residents of the Northeast. More Americans than ever say they hit the road this year to escape the cold.

The Republicans’ proposed replacement for Obamacare is only a week old, but voters are dubious about its impact on the cost and quality of health care. Still, the new proposal already earns better marks than the law it’s intended to replace.

As Congress begins debating ways to change the failing Obamacare system, voters feel more strongly than ever that reducing health care costs is more important than mandating health insurance coverage for everyone.

COMMENT:  I'm guessing that some of this has to do with news reports about the new health plan.  Whatever it is, it's bad news for a president struggling with public approval.  The relentless hatred of the president by much of the press may be taking its toll.  And unforced errors, like accusing former President Obama of wiretapping Trump Tower, without presenting any actual proof, are also taking their toll.

The sadness here is that Trump is doing so many things right – such as building confidence in a growing economy, and changing the psychology of the nation.  It would be tragic if he could not get the job done because of the hatred directed at him.

March 14,  2017