Polls, Polls, and More Polls

  The Marist Poll has just released comprehensive data both nationally and in the upper Midwest. In this edition of Poll Hub, the team provides a detailed analysis of the electoral climate. In the latest NBC News/Marist Poll numbers of Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, President Donald Trump’s approval rating is upside down. Trump surprised pundits when he narrowly carried Michigan in 2016. With an open seat governor’s race on the line, Senator Debbie Stabenow up for her fourth term, and multiple initiatives on the ballot, there are signs Michigan could revert to blue. The team picks up the analysis including a discussion of the key demographic groups on which to focus this midterm season. In Minnesota, Hillary Clinton narrowly defeated then candidate Trump. This electoral cycle, Minnesota Republicans face an uphill climb. Though Tim Pawlenty is well-positioned to win the Republican nomination in his quest to re-claim the governorship, he trails his potential Democratic-Farmer-Labor opponents in hypothetical general election contests. The Poll Hub team assesses the contest plus looks at Tina Smith’s chances to win the U.S. Senate seat she inherited from former Senator Al Franken. Which groups drive the narrative in Minnesota? We’ve got that answer. In Wisconsin, where the Tea Party helped propel Governor Scott Walker to victory in 2010, Walker now faces possible defeat in his current re-election bid. Plus, many say Walker does not deserve to be re-elected. What’s going on? Plus, a look at whether or not Paul Ryan’s constituents approve of President Trump’s job performance in this episode of Poll Hub. Then, a look into the NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist Poll national survey findings. In a survey conducted completely after President Trump’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the poll uncovers Americans’ attitudes about the United States’ relationship with Russia, the legality and ethics of President Trump’s interactions with the nation, and whether or not Americans want President Trump to be tougher in his dealings with Russia. Like the upper Midwest, President Trump’s approval rating nationally is upside down, but Republicans stay committed to him. The president’s silver lining is the economy. What does this all mean in the context of the midterm elections? We answer that question plus explain the emerging role of women, Democrats, and voters under 30. A busy day for Poll Hub. About Poll Hub Poll Hub goes behind the science to explain how polling works, what polls really show, and what the numbers really mean. Poll Hub is produced by The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion, home of America’s leading independent college public opinion poll, The Marist Poll. Lee Miringoff (Director of The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion), Barbara Carvalho (Director of The Marist Poll), and Jay DeDapper (Director of Innovation at The Marist Poll) dig deep to give you a look at the inner workings of polls and what they tell us about our world, our country, and ourselves.