America's Most and Least Popular Senators

[Voltaire2]

https://morningconsult.com/2019/01/10/americas-most-and-least-popular-senators-q4-2018/

Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), a vocal Trump critic, finished at the bottom in his last quarter in office.

Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) was the most popular senator for the 11th time in a row.

Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) saw 10-point drops in their net approval, the worst in the chamber

The latest rankings – based on surveys of 416,853 registered voters across the country conducted Oct. 1 through Dec. 31, 2018 (see methodology here) – found McConnell’s net approval increased 10 percentage points since the third quarter of 2018, with 38 percent of Kentucky voters approving of his job performance and 47 percent disapproving. The fourth quarter marks McConnell’s best showing since the second quarter of 2017 as he prepares for an expected re-election campaign in 2020. (Net approval is the share of voters who approve of a senator minus the share of voters who disapprove. Approval and disapproval figures are rounded.)

[RandiFan1290]

1. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) was the most popular senator for the 11th time in a row.

Uh Oh!

[Joe941]

8. I am a huge Bernie supporter!

[Power 2 the People]

26. +1

[TexasTowelie]

2. As the article states:

Sen. Bernie Sanders maintained his position as America’s most popular senator, with 64 percent of voters in his state approving of him. As he considers a second run for the presidency, the Vermont independent tops the list for the 11th quarter in a row.

Congratulations to Senator Sanders for winning the approval of voters in his state.

[NurseJackie]

9. Congratulations to Senator Sanders for winning the approval of voters IN HIS STATE.

Congratulations to Senator Sanders for winning the approval of voters in his state.

Vermont has a very white and homogeneous population doesn't it? In a state that lacks ethnic diversity I'm certain it's much easier to say and do things that the majority would approve of.

The tiny state of Rhode Island has a bigger population than Vermont. Washington DC has a bigger population that Vermont (and it's much more ethnically diverse too.) So, with such a small sampling... I personally find it just as difficult to be impressed with this poll as I was the FIRST time.

[progressoid]

14. Ethnic diversity doesn't matter.

Hawaii is third most ethnically diverse state in the Union and both of its Senators made the top ten "most approved". Conversely, Kentucky is the 6th least ethnically diverse state (Vermont is the 3rd), yet its Senator is the 3rd most disapproved.

As for small sampling; with the exception of Alaska and Wyoming, it appears they were able to poll enough people for a 1-3% margin of error.

[NurseJackie]

16. I think it speaks more to the Hawaiian senator's skills as a politician...

I think it speaks more to the Hawaiian senator's skills as a politician since they clearly have a bigger challenge.

[progressoid]

17. Maybe they should give Bob Menendez some lessons.

New Jersey is pretty diverse but Bob ain't too popular with his voters.

[NurseJackie]

18. In the same way that Vermont-style politics doesn't play well in West Virginia...

... I believe it's safe to say that Hawaiian-style politics won't do as well in NJ. But you get an "E" for effort and thinking creatively.

[progressoid]

24. Don't bring West Virginia into this.

They are even less diverse than Vermont. So by your earlier "reasoning", Joe Manchin should be at the top of the list. But he's hovering in the middle.

Sorry, it's not thinking creatively, but thinking critically.

[NurseJackie]

27. Actually I wasn't talking about Manchin. The point you're missing is that politics are regional and...

So by your earlier "reasoning", Joe Manchin should be at the top of the list.

Actually, I wasn't talking about Manchin at all. The point you're missing is that politics are regional and the things (and tactics) that work in one area don't necessarily work well in another area. To help illustrate that point, I chose regions representing two extremes.

Oh, don't be so modest! It was indeed creative thinking! It really doesn't rise to the level of critical thinking since an important fact was being overlooked: Hawaii ain't New Jersey.

But he's hovering in the middle.

Not bad for a Democrat in a very very VERY red state! Props to Manchin! He's doing great considering what he's got to work with. I'm THRILLED to have him as a Democrat representing West Virginia!

[progressoid]

28. Perhaps you should have started regional politics instead of race.

Your post was about race, not regional politics. Quote:

Vermont has a very white and homogeneous population doesn't it? In a state that lacks ethnic diversity I'm certain it's much easier to say and do things that the majority would approve of.

[NurseJackie]

29. You know perfectly well it was about regional politics...

Your post was about race, not regional politics.

You know perfectly well it was about regional politics, and in Vermont, race is one obvious metric that distinguishes that state from other states (or regions).

Fact of the matter is, in very white Vermont: Bernie has a very easy go of it! This is especially true when one considers the fact that he doesn't need to worry about doing MANY things to satisfy the VARYING needs and concerns of a DIVERSE demographic. All I'm trying to say is, if the non-white population of Vermont is not happy with Bernie, then it only hurts him 4% or so. Mathematically, it's very easy for him to be popular among his Vermont constituents. But, I think it's very safe to say that he wouldn't have the same appeal in Alabama, or Mississippi, or Florida.

Perhaps you should have started regional politics instead of race.

Looks like I hit a nerve.

[progressoid]

30. Nope.

You know perfectly well it was about regional politics, and in Vermont, race is one obvious metric that distinguishes that state from other states (or regions).

Nope. I didn't know perfectly well it was about regional politics because you didn't bring it up until later.

Fact of the matter is, in very white Vermont: Bernie has a very easy go of it! This is especially true when one considers the fact that he doesn't need to worry about doing MANY things to satisfy the VARYING needs and concerns of a DIVERSE demographic. All I'm trying to say is, if the non-white population of Vermont is not happy with Bernie, then it only hurts him 4% or so. Mathematically, it's very easy for him to be popular among his Vermont constituents.

So you're back to defending race as being a determining factor for his popularity. Sorry, that dog don't hunt.

Let's use your metric for other white states. Vermont is approx 96% white. Sanders gets 64% approval. Other states are nearly as white so their Senators should be able to capitalize on that whiteness as well right?

Fact of the matter is, in very white Iowa (93%): Ernst has a very easy go of it! - Nope: 40% approval.
Fact of the matter is, in very white West Virginia (94%): Manchin has a very easy go of it! - Nope: 43% approval.
Fact of the matter is, in very white Idaho (92%): Risch has a very easy go of it! - Nope: 43% approval.

But those are in different regions you say. True. So what about 95% white New Hampshire. Right next door to super white Vermont. That should be just as easy for those Senators with such a homogeneous group. Yet they only get 48% and 51% approval from their constituents.

Maybe. Just maybe. This isn't about being white.

But, I think it's very safe to say that he wouldn't have the same appeal in Alabama, or Mississippi, or Florida.

As you correctly stated earlier, this poll is about "winning the approval of voters in his state." So his appeal in Alabama etc is immaterial.

[NurseJackie]

31. Wrong again.

As you correctly stated earlier, this poll is about "winning the approval of voters in his state." So his appeal in Alabama etc is immaterial.

Wrong again. It's not "immaterial"... it's an example of how it's easy to be popular in a state that lacks diversity. Alabama, Mississippi and Florida are examples of states that have more diversity that Vermont.

None of those states are as homogeneous as Vermont. Thanks for helping to make my point.

Maybe. Just maybe. This isn't about being white.

Possibly, but unlikely. There's no denying that he's got an easy crowd to please that lacks diversity. Even now, outside the safe confines of his own state, his popularity among POC is a bit tepid (to put it politely.)

[progressoid]

36. Thanks for missing the point.

it's an example of how it's easy to be popular in a state that lacks diversity. Alabama, Mississippi and Florida are examples of states that have more diversity that Vermont.

Actually, California is the most diverse state where Harris and Feinstein are both at 43%. The same as Manchin and Risch in their super white states.

I'll post this again a little slower this time so it's easier to read. These states also lack diversity yet their Senators are not as popular with their white voters.

Fact of the matter is, in very white Iowa (93%): Ernst: 40% approval.
Fact of the matter is, in very white West Virginia (94%): Manchin: 43% approval.
Fact of the matter is, in very white Idaho (92%): Risch: 43% approval.
Fact of the matter is, in very white New Hampshire (95%): Hassan: 48% approval.

Even now, outside the safe confines of his own state, his popularity among POC is a bit tepid

Again, this poll has nothing to do with voters outside his own state.
Nor, for that matter, race.
It is immaterial.

[NurseJackie]

37. No, thank YOU!

[progressoid]

38. And...there it is.

The perfunctory LOL.

[NurseJackie]

40. There's nothing at all perfunctory about it.

[Lordquinton]

32. You really haven't hit anything

Your arguments undermine each other.

[NurseJackie]

34. My "crusade", eh? Oh that's hysterical.

Your arguments undermine each other in your crusade to undermine the Union's most popular senator.

When you make it personal, that means you're losing.

[TexasTowelie]

44. Wait, what?

You are the person that mentioned Bob Menendez out of the blue. Are you certain that wasn't about race?

[Cha]

42. Ethic Diversity Does Matter. BS is only the "most popular

in his state".

[Cha]

43. Yeah, in Vermont.. Shocking!!

[True Dough]

3. How the hell can Mitch McConnell's approval numbers be improving?

I'm glad he's only risen to 38%, but what those 38% see in him, I'll never understand.

[democratisphere]

7. Same idiots that approve of drumpf!

[ProfessorGAC]

4. I Question The Validity

Durbin at 36/39/25? He won his last election by 11%!
Duckworth at least was net positive but she won by a clear margin!

[beachbum bob]

6. Durbin will win by 10 points again, easily.....

[WePurrsevere]

5. The headline's misleading. These results are based each senator's constituency...

The survey wasn't about how Americans in general feel about them.

Growing up next door in upstate NY and having family in VT, I'm not surprised Vermonters still highly approve of Bernie.

[NurseJackie]

10. Vermont lacks ethnic diversity. I'm sure it's easy for him to say and do things...

Vermont lacks ethnic diversity. I'm sure it's easy for him to say and do things that the majority find agreeable. It's also a very tiny tiny state with a population less than that of Rhode Island... or even less than Washington DC, or Jacksonville, or Seattle, or Baltimore.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vermont#Demographics

[WePurrsevere]

12. This is all very true but Vermonters like him because they...

Perceive him as a plain speaking New Englander like they consider themselves to be.

I've watched Bernie for many years and overall I like his stances on issues but I didn't vote for him in the primaries and I'd be even less likely to now although if he won the Dem nomination I'd of course vote for him to be President. (and I wouldn't even have to hold my nose too much. )

Mind you I think even our rescued feral cat, Ember, would make a better president than Trump. She's a bit wild but she's actually very intelligent and not certifiably nuts or in Putin's pocket like Trump and his cult.

[Voltaire2]

15. So you will be relieved to recall that a recent

poll found that Senator Sanders, a prominent member of the Senate Democratic Caucus, and part of the caucus leadership, has strong support from minority voters across the country.

[aidbo]

39. No, they won't be relieved, but they will ignore it. Nt

[Lordquinton]

33. So the less diverse states should have higher approval ratings?

And more diverse states should have lower ones, does that hold true?

[MrsCoffee]

20. They always are when it comes to Bernie's "popularity".

[WePurrsevere]

22. It sometimes seems that way. All that does is annoy me...

Just give me the facts with decent sources not spin, lies or attacks on others or myself who ask questions.

[Rene]

11. I don't know who runs this polling, but it's totally wrong.

[WePurrsevere]

13. The polling was only to see how popular they are in 'their' state...

so it's not going to be reflective of the general US population's opinion.

[LAS14]

19. So these are ratings by their own constituents, right? nt

[ProudLib72]

21. I think I made a mistake

No one ever told me she was a racist...

[honest.abe]

23. This poll reflects popularity across all voters (Ds, Rs and Inds) in each state.

Its no wonder both VT Senators are 1 and 2. Vermont has the highest percent of Dem/Dem leaning voters in the country. Many Dem Senators are in states with high numbers of Repubs which pulls their numbers down and that doesn't mean they are poor or less effective Senators. The poll has little value in my opinion in regard to comparing Senator to Senator. Waste of effort IMO.

[herding cats]

25. A perfect example of regional differences. Patrick Leahy at #2 and John Barrasso at a very close #3

They're polar opposites politically but both highly liked their states.

Looking at John Cornyn's 32% no opinion to his 43% favorable... I can't decide if that's good or bad news for him being voted out in 2020.

I suppose with the right candidate, and depending on how things go with Trump and his wall, we may be able to flip enough of those no opinion folks into the disapprove column.

[BlueStater]

35. Terrible approval ratings for Cory in Colorado.

He's toast next year.

[0rganism]

41. hey Mitch, Sens. Flake and McCaskill are no longer in the senate

which puts one Sen. McConnell as THE SINGLE MOST DISAPPROVED-OF SENATOR.