What’s Behind Biden’s Sinking Poll Numbers?

Joe Biden’s average approval rating fell to a new low of just 43.5 percent, according to FiveThirtyEight. His poll numbers continue to sink among nearly every demographic group and on nearly every issue, including the economy, Covid response and immigration.

New York Times: What’s dragging down President Biden’s approval rating? Everyone. And everything.

Mr. Biden’s approval ratings have declined on nearly every issue and among nearly every demographic group in national surveys over the last two months, as the promise of a return to normalcy has given way to rising inflation, a simmering pandemic, gridlock in Washington and chaos on the border and in Afghanistan.

Majorities say that the country is on the wrong track and that the nation is worse off than it was a year ago, before Biden and Kamala Harris took office. Analysts say there are “numerous” reasons for the declining numbers, but the driving force is the Biden-Harris administration’s refusal to address the issues Americans say they care most about.

CNN: While the causes of Biden’s decline are numerous (e.g. declining trust of his handling of the coronavirus pandemic and the American troop withdrawal from Afghanistan), perhaps the biggest one is that Americans believe there are big economic problems and that Biden isn’t focused nearly enough on them. These negative perceptions of Democrats on the economy are impacting the marquee Virginia gubernatorial election, too.

A clear majority – 60 percent – believe Biden isn’t doing enough to address the inflation crisis. Worse for the administration, just 40 percent believe that Democrats’ reckless tax-and-spending spree will help the economy. 

But these polls aren’t just bad news for Biden and Democrats in Congress. Next week, Virginia elects a new governor and Democrats are “bordering on panic” that Biden’s toxicity could propel Republican Glenn Youngkin to victory. Even in New Jersey, Democrats are sweating as Democrat Phil Murphy’s lead in the Governor’s race has shrunk from 26 points to a competitive six points.

Bottom Line: The Biden-Harris administration’s misplaced priorities – and incompetent management of self-created crises – fostered a toxic political environment for Democrats. Republicans, focused on the issues voters care about, will use this momentum to win critical races next week and in next year’s midterms.