Sorry if my phrasing was unclear. What I mean is that although the percentage result not being the highest detracts from the rhetorical level of the argument, it doesn't detract substantially from the logical argument in that having close to the largest percentage in poverty ever still allows it to go through.

I think your point about policy support is a stronger one: I'm not aware of any data that shows historical support levels for policy preferences about social security, welfare, medicaid, etc.