No, I don’t think this is an entirely accurate reflection of where the public is. But I also don’t think it should be lightly dismissed.
The media have been beating into people’s heads the idea that Trump has done something deserving of impeachment. The coverage is dominated by innuendos about “collusion” and “Russia” and “obstruction of justice.” When you start with the fact that 40 percent of the electorate hates Trump no matter what he does, and you pound away at those themes day after day, sure, I can see how at a moment in time 49 percent of the public would think impeachment proceedings are at least worth exploring.