Here's the Scoop Let’s Get Polling with Steve Kornacki
Nov 4, 2025
Steve Kornacki, NBC News' chief data analyst and a go-to expert for polling insights, joins host Yasmin Vossoughian to delve into the latest national polling trends just before Election Day. He discusses the fluctuating approval ratings for Trump and the historical significance behind them. Kornacki reveals that Democrats have a slight edge in the generic ballot and shares insights on public perception surrounding the government shutdown. The conversation also touches on key races in Virginia and New Jersey, examining how local results might reflect national trends.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
President's Approval Mirrors First-Term Slump
- NBC's poll shows President Trump's approval dropped from 47% to 43%, aligning with his first-term levels.
- Historically, those approval levels correlate with poor midterm results for the president's party.
Generic Ballot Tilts Toward Democrats
- The NBC generic ballot shows Democrats ahead 50 to 42, an eight-point advantage heading into elections.
- That margin historically predicts bad outcomes for the White House party in comparable elections.
Shutdown Blame Leans Republican
- Voters currently blame Republicans more than Democrats for the government shutdown, 52% to 42%.
- Pollsters caution shutdown-related blame can be temporary and may shift over time.