Strong economy boosts Trump among otherwise skeptical voters

In 2016, the U.S. economy served as a punching bag for then-candidate Donald Trump. Today, it has become a lifeline for an otherwise embattled presidency. …

At a recent focus group that Peter Hart, a longtime Democratic pollster, conducted in Wilmington, N.C., for Emory University, even participants who voted for Trump last year sharply criticized his administration, calling it “chaotic” “embarrassing” and disappointing. … But when the subject turned to the economy, opinions of Trump noticeably warmed. …

Polling by numerous organizations shows that the sentiments expressed in Hart’s focus group are widespread: CONT.

David Lauter, Los Angeles Times