LIU Hornstein Center Poll Shows the State of the Union is Divided

Response to President's Address Falls Along Party Lines

News provided by

Feb 01, 2018, 05:01 ET

BROOKVILLE, N.Y., Feb. 1, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A new Long Island University Hornstein Center for Policy, Polling and Analysis poll showed that reactions to President's Trump's first State of the Union address on Tuesday, January 30 were either favorable or unfavorable consistent with the party affiliation of those who watched.

However, the national poll highlighted that Americans are dis-engaged from party politics. 41 percent responded that they did not identify with one party over another or did not engage in partisan politics, and nearly 40 percent did not watch the State of the Union address. Of those who watched the President's speech, opinions are largely split down party lines, with 26 percent responding that they disapproved, while 28 percent found the speech "favorable" or "very favorable." Only 27 percent believed that the President can deliver on his proposed policies, while more than 40 percent believed he could not. The poll consisted of more Democrats (33 percent) than Republicans (22 percent), though an analysis of data shows that party identification played a large part in how respondents reacted.

What Americans polled could agree on was that they felt unsatisfied with the current state of affairs in the United States. Nearly 55 percent do not believe the state of the union is strong, while only 20 percent agreed with President Tump's assertion that it is. The majority of Americans believe that immigration, infrastructure and national security are of paramount importance to the state of the nation.

"It's clear that while Americans are holding tightly to their ideological beliefs and view the President through the lens colored by their personal politics, they are also tired of the constant division," said Dr. Edward Summers, Fellow at the Hornstein Center. "The President's job then will be either the continued play to his tightly-held base, or the appeal to Democrats in crafting policies that are less divisive to bring the nation together."

The findings are based on a published public opinion poll conducted from January 30-31, 2018 of 1031 Americans.

Dr. Summers, who obtained his Ph.D. in Public Policy, is a Fellow at the Hornstein Center. His career includes experience in public policy, higher education, and opinion research.

Long Island University
Steven S. Hornstein Center for Policy, Polling, and Analysis
National Survey
January 30-31, 2018

What is your reaction to President Trump's State of the Union address?
Answer Choices	Responses
Very Favorable;	17.65%	182
Somewhat Favorable;	10.57%	109
Somewhat Unfavorable;	6.79%	70
Very Unfavorable;	19.01%	196
No Opinion;	7.27%	75
I did not watch the address;	38.70%	399

Do you think President Trump can deliver on his proposed policies?
Answer Choices	Responses
Yes;	27.35%	282
No;	40.35%	416
No Opinion;	8.92%	92
I did not watch the address;	23.38%	241

Were Democratic members of Congress who boycotted the address correct to do so?
Answer Choices	Responses
Yes;	30.55%	315
No;	37.63%	388
Unsure;	18.33%	189
No Opinion;	13.48%	139

Do you believe that the state of the union is strong?
Answer Choices	Responses
Yes, I am satisfied with the current state of affairs in the country;	20.08%	207
No, I am not satisfied with the current state of affairs in the country;	54.80%	565
Unsure;	14.35%	148
No Opinion;	10.77%	111

With what political party do you primarily identify?
Answer Choices	Responses
I primarily identify with the Republican party;	21.63%	223
I primarily identify with the Democratic party;	32.69%	337
I primarily identify with another party;	4.17%	43
I do not primarily identify with one political party;	28.23%	291
I do not engage in partisan politics;	13.29%	137

Are you registered to vote?
Answer Choices	Responses
Yes, I am registered to vote;	89.14%	919
No, I am not registered to vote;	10.86%	112

What do you believe to be the most important policy position discussed in the address?
Answer Choices	Responses
Immigration;	28.49%	284
Infrastructure;	21.26%	212
National Security;	19.76%	197
Defense policy;	5.02%	50
Foreign policy;	6.12%	61
Tax reform;	19.36%	193

Age
Answer Choices	Responses
18-29	18.45%	190
30-44	27.28%	281
45-60	31.94%	329
> 60	22.33%	230

Gender
Answer Choices	Responses
Male	46.60%	480
Female	53.40%	550

Household Income
Answer Choices	Responses
$0-$9,999	8.74%	90
$10,000-$24,999	11.07%	114
$25,000-$49,999	17.86%	184
$50,000-$74,999	14.76%	152
$75,000-$99,999	11.55%	119
$100,000-$124,999	9.13%	94
$125,000-$149,999	5.44%	56
$150,000-$174,999	2.82%	29
$175,000-$199,999	1.84%	19
$200,000+	4.76%	49
Prefer not to answer	12.04%	124

Region
Answer Choices	Responses
New England	5.49%	56
Middle Atlantic	15.98%	163
East North Central	14.22%	145
West North Central	5.88%	60
South Atlantic	16.96%	173
East South Central	6.57%	67
West South Central	9.51%	97
Mountain	8.04%	82
Pacific	17.35%	177

Polling Methodology
This Long Island University Steven S. Hornstein Center for Policy, Polling & Analysis poll was conducted through Suveymomkey January 30-31, 2018 in English to 1031 Americans over the age of 18. Polling data was sorted by age, gender & geographic location in efforts to ensure a nationwide representative sample. This poll has an overall margin of error of +/- 3 points.

The Steven S. Hornstein Center for Policy, Polling, and Analysis at LIU Post conducts independent, fair, and balanced polling, empirical research, and analysis on a wide range of public issues including lifestyle preferences. The Center's goals include informing the community, public and policy makers about critical issues.

SOURCE Long Island University