The Gallup polling firm announced Wednesday that it will stop polling for presidential approval ratings, saying it will shift its focus to other areas of social science research.
Gallup dropping its approval and favorability ratings for political figures ends an 88-year run in which the company provided a reliable voice among the sea of pollsters.
“For nearly a century, Gallup’s U.S. polling has provided rigorous, independent insight into the American people — their perspectives, values and lives,” the firm said in its announcement. “Leadership ratings have been part of Gallup’s history. At the same time, the context around these measures has changed.”
The firm said approval ratings polls are now “widely produced, aggregated and interpreted, and no longer represent an area where Gallup can make its most distinctive contribution.”
“Our commitment is to long-term, methodologically sound research on issues and conditions that shape people’s lives,” Gallup said of its decision.
The firm has moved into covering specific topics in depth, such as peoples’ opinions about immigration, their level of economic anxiety and perceptions about crime.
President Trump received an approval rating of 37% in December during Gallup’s final poll on the commander and chief. Mr. Trump’s highest mark was 47% a year ago.
Since Gallup began conducting its presidential polling in 1938, former Presidents John F. Kennedy and Dwight D. Eisenhower netted the highest average ratings the firm had documented.
Kennedy maintained a 71% approval while in office, and Eisenhower held steady at about 61% during his eight-year term.
• Matt Delaney can be reached at mdelaney@washingtontimes.com.
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