Biden’s approval rating hits record-low of 36 percent
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Poll results revealed that age was a determinant factor highlighting Biden's potential inability to assume office next term, with 26 percent of respondents reporting Biden is too old.
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President Joe Biden speaks at Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, photographed on August 31, 2022. (AFP)
An ABC News/Washington Post poll found that President Joe Biden's approval rate fell to a new low of 36 percent - just weeks after he announced his candidacy for the 2024 electoral race, Politico reported on Sunday.
The survey was conducted by phone from April 28 to May 3 and polled a total of 1,006 adults across the country, including 900 registered voters, 396 of whom said they leaned Democratic and 438 identified as Republican.
The 80-year-old politician's approval rating plunged to 38 percent in March, from 45 percent in February and 41 percent in January.
About 56 percent of respondents expressed their disapproval of Biden's performance so far, while the majority of surveyed Democrats said they would rather have Dems select another nominee for the presidential race.
Poll results revealed that age was a determinant factor highlighting Biden's potential inability to assume office next term, with 26 percent of respondents reporting Biden is too old.
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Likewise, Trump, who is at 74 years of age is also considered too old to be fit for the presidency, with 43 percent of respondents saying that both Biden and Trump, who is currently leading the Republican race, are unfit to hold office for a second term.
About 28 percent of all respondents said that neither Trump nor Biden are too old for another presidential term.
Only 32 percent said that Biden "has the mental sharpness it takes to serve effectively as president," while 63 percent said otherwise. Of those who said he does not, 94 percent were Republicans, 69 percent were independents and 21 percent were Democrats.
Biden trails behind Trump, DeSantis
Results also revealed that Biden is trailing behind Trump if the two were candidates of their respective parties. 38 percent said that they would vote for Biden if the two were led on a head-to-head match-up in the presidential race. 44 percent said they would probably or definitely support Trump.
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In the scenario where Biden is pitted against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Biden would secure 37 percent of voter support against 42 percent for DeSantis - who has yet to announce his candidacy.
The majority of voters said they prefer Trump over Biden in regard to the handling of economic matters.
About 54 percent of respondents were reported saying that Trump handled economic matters far better than Biden ever did, whilst 36 percent said that Biden has done a better job.
On questions relating to Trump's candidacy and challenges that lay ahead, 56 percent said Trump should be indicted for criminal charges he is currently facing, including his alleged role in January 6 insurrection. Respondents were made up of 90 percent of Democrats, 59 percent of independents and 16 percent of Republicans.
54 percent said he should face charges over his handling of classified documents, including 86 percent of Democrats, 58 percent of independents and 17 percent of Republicans; and 54 percent said he should be charged for his role in overturning the 2020 elections, including 91 percent of Democrats, 55 percent of independents and 16 percent of Republicans.
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On April 25, Biden confirmed that he will seek a second term at the White House in 2024, in a video made by his campaign team, which opens with scenes from the January 6 attack on the US Capitol by supporters of former President Donald Trump.
"When I ran for president four years ago, I said we're in a battle for the soul of America, and we still are," Biden said. "This is not a time to be complacent. That's why I'm running for re-election."
"Let's finish this job. I know we can," he added. VP Kamala Harris has also announced today that she will be running for VP again next year alongside Biden.
