Biden's approval rating hits new record low

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
23 Mar 2023 15:20

US President Joe Biden's approval rating hits a new low, AP-NORC poll shows.

US President Joe Biden speaks at a news conference in Washington. (AP)

US President Joe Biden undoubtedly has a number of issues that contribute to his low approval ratings, including his handling of the Ukraine crisis, the pandemic response, a border crisis, and low ratings for personal qualities such as leadership, crisis management, and mental sharpness.

The President's approval rating has dropped a little since a month ago, approaching the lowest point of his presidency as his administration struggles to show stability despite dealing with two bank collapses and inflation that is stubbornly high, as per a new poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

Over the past few months, Biden's support has experienced some minor swings. In the most recent poll, 38% of respondents indicated that they approved of the president, down from 45% in February and 41% in January. Last July, as the full impact of rising food, gas, and other prices started to strike American households, his approval ratings fell to their lowest point of his presidency, to 36%.

Biden, who is anticipated to declare a reelection candidacy this summer, has drawn mixed reactions from the public, according to interviews with survey respondents. Americans rarely exhibited the extremes of unwavering loyalty and ferocious hatred that have characterized this era's split politics when it comes to the president.

With his $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief program from 2021, infrastructure projects, support for computer chip factories, taxes on companies and the rich to help pay for health care, and a move away from fossil fuels, the President has taken bold initiatives to strengthen the US economy.

Nevertheless, those initiatives include multiyear investments that haven't yet given the public, which is already grappling with 6% annual inflation, any cause for confidence.

To highlight their accomplishments, the President and other administration representatives have traveled the nation. Yet, many people feel that the economy may be on a knife edge as a result of the recent bank failures and the standoff over the debt ceiling with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, a Republican from California, which could result in the US government defaulting.

Only 31% of people, roughly where they have been over the past year, think that Biden is doing a good job managing the country's economy. From late 2021, when the administration's recommended temporary inflation turned into a major pain factor for businesses and households, his management of the country's economic fortunes has been a weakness.

Democrats are largely responsible for the disparity between Biden's overall and economic approval ratings, with 76% of them saying they approve of how he is performing his job as President compared to 63% of them saying the same about the economy. Republicans are often divided on their opinions on Biden.

Democrats under the age of 45 have lower approval ratings for Biden, which lowers his numbers. Just 54% of US citizens agree with the President's handling of the economy, compared to 72% of Democrats over the age of 45. Similarly, only 66% of Democrats under the age of 45 support Biden overall, as opposed to 85% of Democrats over the age of 45.

According to the poll, only a quarter of Americans believe that the economy is strong or that the nation is moving in the right way. These figures have also just marginally changed during the last few months.

Biden's handling of foreign affairs (39%) and climate change (41%) is rated similarly to how he is rated overall. In terms of foreign policy, 74% of Democrats and 9% of Republicans support Biden, while 67% of Democrats and 17% of Republicans support his stance on climate change.