President Biden’s approval ratings have fallen to their lowest levels in almost two years according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll. This is the lowest reading of his presidency and shows strong warning signs for his re-election effort. The poll showed that just 36% Americans approve of Biden’s job performance as president.
The president has faced such numbers before. An NPR/PBS News Hour/Marist poll showed the president’s ratings at 36% in July 2022. This was a 9% decline within his own party.
Voters have made clear their reasons for their disapproval of the president. The top issue of concern was the economy with 23% saying the president had not done enough to improve it. Fast rising consumer prices have been the main reason though unemployment is at just 4% and inflation has slowed considerably. The second issue of concern was political extremism with 21% saying it was a major issue. The third issue was immigration with 13% stating the president had done little on border control.
Respondents also said that former president Trump had better policies for the US economy at 40% compared to Biden with 30% The rest didn’t know or didn’t answer the question.
Respondents also said they thought Trump had the better approach to foreign conflicts and terrorism with 36% favouring Trump in that area, compared with 29% who favoured Biden.
The other problem facing the president is Gaza. A separate Reuters/Ipsos poll this month showed many Americans disapprove of Biden’s response to Israel’s war on Hamas militants. The poll published on Tuesday did not ask if Americans approve of Biden’s support for Israel’s war effort in Gaza which divides Democrats. Biden has seen mass resignations within his own administration on the issue.
The president so far has largely been tied with Trump in approval ratings in national polls when people have been asked how they will vote in November’s elections. But the former president is leading Biden in key swing states that are likely to determine the US Electoral College.
Trump, however, does not have it easy either. His ongoing four criminal prosecution cases, along with a New York hush money trial are impediments for the former president. Trump has opted not to testify in the case which claims he falsified business records. Jurors will begin deliberations next week.
Trump also faces two cases for his attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election which Biden won. He has claimed his election defeat was due to fraud. He included that claim in a speech shortly before hundreds of his supporters stormed the US Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
(REUTERS)
