Former Biden pollster and top Democratic Party strategist Celinda Lake said that Trump and his team have taken what they learned in their first term from 2017-2021 and built from that a firm base for quick action in their first days back in office.
“He showed the power of solo executive leadership, he’s shown that he brings about change, he’s been decisive and seemed on top of it. He seemed confident, and I think he did a really good job,” said Lake, one of the best-known and respected Democratic pollsters in the country, on newsman Mark Halperin’s 2WAY podcast.
While she is confident that Trump will stumble soon, Lake said that in his first week the president’s approval has improved among voters.
“His numbers are improving, and even though people disagree with his policies, they think he’s doing a good job,” she told Halperin.
Of note, Lake said that Trump’s mass pardon of those involved in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riots and his bid to end birthright citizenship are not going over well with voters.
Lake said that for now, she is recommending that Democrats lay off Trump.
“I have my own metaphor from Montana, which I’m an avid angler and fisherman, and when you’re trying to catch a big fish, we have a saying, ‘Keep the line taught and let it out.’”
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She added, “This is his moment. Give him his moment, and hopefully, he’ll take that line way out, and we can pull him in.”
Lake predicted that would happen quickly. “I think you’re talking about weeks,” Lake said.
