THE PRESIDENT HOLDS – AT 10:34 A.M. ET:  It was a week of turmoil for the president, but his poll numbers are holding up remarkably well, especially as compared with the wobbly ranking of his party.  From Rasmussen: 

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Monday shows that 47% of Likely U.S. Voters approve of President Trump’s job performance. Fifty-two percent (52%) disapprove.
The latest figures include 31% who Strongly Approve of the way Trump is performing and 43% who Strongly Disapprove. This gives him a Presidential Approval Index rating of -12.

COMMENT:  Rasmussen does show Trump somewhat stronger than other polls do, but remember that Rasmussen polls likely voters, the most accurate gauge, while most other polls survey registered voters.  Many registered voters don't actually vote.

We must ask this question:  What happens if the president turns out to be more popular than his party?  Remember that he has no real history in the Republican Party.  In effect, he may become his own party.  That may please his considerable ego, but could be highly dangerous if he's ever impeached by the House.  Support for him in the Senate, which would conduct an impeachment trial, could erode dramatically if Republicans no longer see him as "one of us." 

One of the most intriguing questions of the year is whether Trump will go all out for his party in midterm campaigning, or, if the polling shows a Democratic wave, withdraw from the fray and distance himself from the losing side.  The man is a shrewd politician, to be watched carefully.

March 19,  2018