Trump selectively touts poll's economic numbers

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - President Donald Trump on Thursday appeared to cherry-pick a poll's finding that two-thirds of American voters believe the economy is doing very well, ignoring that respondents do not credit him for the success.

"In new Quinnipiac Poll, 66% of people feel the economy is 'Excellent or Good.' That is the highest number ever recorded by this poll," Trump said in an early morning tweet.

Trump chose to ignore, however, that the poll from Quinnipiac University also found just 37 percent of voters say his policies are helping the economy, while 29 percent say they are hurting, and still 30 percent more say his policies are not having a significant effect.

More damning, however, Quinnipac said 49 percent of voters credit former President Barack Obama, not Trump, for the success. Only 40 percent credit Trump.

"President Trump can hang his hat on the economy, but must share the hat rack with President Barack Obama, as two-thirds of the country see the economic picture as excellent or good," Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll said in the Wednesday poll.

Moreover, 39 percent of voters graded Trump's first year in office as a failing "F", compared to only 16 percent who gave him an "A".

It came just days after Trump made the unexpected declaration that he is "a very stable genius" following the publication of a new book that says, among other sensational things, Trump's top advisors regularly discuss his mental health and stability, and the possibility of using a constitutional amendment to oust him from office.

While more than half,53 percent, of respondents considered Trump intelligent, 69 percent said he is not level-headed and 57 percent believe he is not fit to serve as president.