Whatever else you want to say about him, President Donald Trump has what Alexander Hamilton in Federalist No. 70 called “energy in the executive.” Announcing a peace plan for Israel and Hamas, ordering the dispatch of federal troops to protect immigration enforcement personnel in “sanctuary” states, authorizing his budget director to use reorganization powers available after Senate Democrats shut down the government, and announcing a pediatric cancer initiative.

No one can seriously argue that this is a passive presidency, though some may say that Trump is not promoting “the steady administration of the laws” and the “protection of property” that Hamilton argued is what an energetic executive should provide.

But the appropriate question in the off-year elections to be held 13 months from now and in the 2028 election in which Trump is ineligible to seek another term is, compared to what? Opposition to Trump, distaste for his personal style, dismay at his ignorance, or ignoring of norms of political politeness — such responses don’t seem to be producing a surge of support for his Democratic opponents.

Striking evidence of this comes in a Reuters/Ipsos nationwide poll conducted Sept. 19-21. On 11 different issues, adults were asked which party has the “better plan.” That’s just a bit different from the usual question wording.

Pluralities preferred Republicans’ plans on seven of the 11 issues. Democrats’ plans were preferred by significant margins only on health care, women’s rights and the environment. In a country that reelected Trump by a 50% to 48% popular vote margin, preferences for Republicans were lopsided on some issues: crime (40% to 20%), immigration (40% to 22%), foreign conflicts (35% to 22%) and the United States economy (34% to 24%).

CNN polling analyst Harry Enten, reporting on similar numbers on crime, immigration, and the economy in a CNN poll, exclaimed, “What are you doing, Democrats? Goodness gracious.”

And no doubt that when respondents are referring to Republicans, they’re referring to Trump, who, despite his lame-duck status, dominates his party to an extent seldom seen. Note also that Republicans were narrowly favored on “political extremism” and were behind Democrats by only a statistically insignificant 2% on “respect for democracy.”

Even more than in the 2024 campaign, Americans have had recent experience with both Democratic and Republican administrations, and there’s not much question that, despite his idiosyncrasies, they prefer Trump’s to Biden’s.

There is evidence that some critical bloc of voters feels Trump goes too far on some trademark policies. His heartfelt imposition of tariffs in April sparked negative responses from voters and markets