File photo of Hilary and Donald Clinton, taken during the second presidential debate on Oct. 9, 2016. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)
SALT LAKE CITY — With President Donald Trump under the cloud of impeachment, a new poll from Deseret News/Hinckley Institute of Politics asks the question: “Would things in the United States be better if Hillary Clinton won the 2016 election?”
A majority of Utahns say, “No.”
But that majority is slim. Overall, a total of 53% of the Beehive State either ‘strongly’ or ‘somewhat’ approve of the president’s job performance. While 42% disapprove.
What’s interesting, is Mr. Trump’s approval rating is higher since the impeachment proceedings began than when this question was previously asked. Last August, a poll showed only 48% of Utahns viewed the president in a favorable light and 49 percent disapproved of him.
Supporters of President Trump cite lower unemployment rates and new trade deals with Mexico, Canada, and China as reasons why America is better off with him at the helm.
But one critic, Charles Stormont, says “the current president has tried to transform the executive branch into a kingship.” And while Stormont concedes Clinton has flaws and wouldn’t be a perfect president, he still believes the U.S. would be better if she were in the White House.
“Utahns are divided on President Trump but they’re not divided at all on Hillary Clinton,” said Jason Perry, director of the Hinckley Institute at the University of Utah. He says the percentage of residents who approve of Mr. Trump is the same percentage that believes things would be worse with Clinton.
To read more about Utahns’ views on this issue and to see how President Trump stacks up against current candidates running against him in the 2020 election, go to the article at Deseret News.
