American voters are receptive to Joe Biden's argument that Trump has lowered US standing in the world news.gallup.com/poll/116350/po… 
American voters have decisively rejected Trump's "America First" protectionism - and embraced free trade in a way not seen in years, maybe decades, probably ever.
Donald Trump's toxic presidency has awakened Americans to the threat from Russia
By contrast, and pretty obviously in revulsion to Trump, Americans have become *LESS* anti-China than they were during the Obama presidency
American concern about climate change is rising fast, an absolute majority now regard climate change as a "critical threat."
The disproportionate voting power of rural America is an important electoral fact. But when making statements about what "the American people" think - please always remember that more people live in Los Angeles county than in Kentucky and Alabama combined.
One more thought ... and I speak myself as someone now closer to 60 than to 50 ... most of us in the punditry business carry in our minds an image of America at least a generation out of date. The people we interact with are also significantly wealthier than the typical American
So a lot of things feel true to us - that are in fact radically *not* true. In particular, we have a tough time processing the radical unpopularity of the Trump presidency. We mistake Trump's grip on the lopsided American voting system for active democratic consent.
Trump is massively unpopular, the most unpopular first-term president in the history of opinion polling. And he's not just disliked. He's loathed. Trump's "strong disapproval" numbers bust every record ever before seen. Half the country wants him not only defeated, but removed.
Trump's unpopularity is contagious. Trump likes Russia? Americans turn against it. Trump distrusts trade? Americans embrace it. The distorted voting system cushions the electoral shock of that fact. But fact it is. Those who make statements about public opinion should be mindful
Trump himself at some deep level recognizes his unpopularity. It's why he always draws back from conflict at the last minute: with Iran, with China, etc. He knows the nation will not follow him into anything difficult or dangerous. As Pelosi says, he knows he lacks legitimacy
One last reflection. Most of us think in pictures, not words or numbers. So test yourself. When you hear "the American people" do you see this?
Or do you see this?
Group 2 is not only the future. It is the here and now. Be guided accordingly in your pronouncements.
END OF SERMON
END OF SERMON
