Apparently freeing terrorists and forcing colleges to take down free YouTube lectures doesn't quite pass muster as strength. The latest IBD poll shows that more Americans view President Trump as leading with strength than the Nobel Peace Prize winner.
Despite Trump's low approval numbers, the public backs most of his policies.
The poll found that 57% back Trump's plan to hire 10,000 more immigration agents; 58% support the deportation of illegal immigrants charged with a crime, even if they haven't been convicted; 53% back Trump's call to withhold federal aid to "sanctuary cities."
On Trump's Supreme Court pick, far more think Congress should approve Neil Gorsuch to fill Justice Scalia's seat (48%) than say he should be defeated (31%).
Last month's survey found that a majority backed of Trump's temporary halt on refugees coming into the U.S. suspension of refugees. It also found high levels of confidence that Trump would fulfill his campaign promises to bring manufacturing jobs back, simplifying the tax code, and building a wall and securing the border.
Meanwhile, 42% say Trump is providing strong leadership for the country, which is higher than the 40% Obama got last October.
The media is still obsessed with Trump's approval numbers because they learned nothing since the election. The media is still thinking in likability terms. Trump didn't win because of personal likability but because of the expectation that he would change things. That's why there is support for his policies.