Joe Biden’s Re-election Bid in Trouble as his Approval Rating Plummets to an All-Time Low of 36%: What This Means for His Presidency
A new survey released on Sunday by ABC News/Washington Post showed that President Joe Biden’s approval rating has hit a new low of 36%. Furthermore, it showed that if the 2024 presidential election were held today, Donald Trump would beat Biden by seven points in a hypothetical matchup. Meanwhile, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis outperforms Joe Biden in a potential 2024 election, securing a 5-point lead. This is undoubtedly a piece of bad news for Biden and his supporters, especially with the mid-term elections soon approaching.
The poll evidently portrays a struggling president whose popularity is at an all-time low, with voters disapproving of his policies, leadership style and vision for the country. The outlook is equally grim in the wider sense, with many Americans being critical of the administration’s handling of everything from the Covid-19 pandemic to the economy and foreign policy. With such a high level of dissatisfaction among voters, it seems President Biden has a difficult hill to climb if he is to turn around his presidency’s fortunes.
What Does the ABC News/Washington Post Poll Tell Us?
The ABC News/Washington Post poll undoubtedly paints a bleak picture of the state of Joe Biden’s presidency, with the president’s approval rating at an all-time low of 36%. The poll also shows how Trump’s political career still has some form of life, with the former President leading Biden by seven points, should he decide to run in 2024.
The poll was conducted between 11th to 14th of July, with a sample size of 1,007 adults. Among the findings was an increasing level of disillusionment amongst independents and moderate Democrats who supported Biden in 2020.
The poll also found that Trump enjoyed a healthy lead over Biden when it came to handling the economy, an issue that American voters value particularly highly. It is, however, pertinent to note that this poll is just a snapshot in time, and the situation can change significantly between now and the 2024 elections.
Declining Popularity of Joe Biden
President Biden’s approval rating of 36% is particularly troubling as it is an all-time low. This represents a steady decline since the beginning of his presidency, where his approval ratings were significantly higher. In February 2022, his ratings were at 42%, six months later at 41%, and now at 36% – a noticeable downward trend.
The public’s perception of Joe Biden and his leadership style have suffered significantly over the past few months, with many Americans critical of his leadership in various areas. For instance, critics have labeled Biden as being soft on China and failing to take concrete action against Chinese human rights abuses. The president’s handling of the US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan was also heavily criticized, with some labeling it as a disaster.
The president’s unpopularity has also been reflected in his inability to pass significant legislation in both houses of Congress. The current administration has seen a significant number of policy initiatives fail to pass, from voting rights to immigration reform, contributing to the president’s declining popularity.
The Reasons Behind Joe Biden’s Declining Popularity
Several reasons contribute to President Biden’s declining popularity. One of the most significant reasons is the perception that he has failed to deliver on his campaign promises. The president promised to deliver on several issues such as immigration reform, voting rights, and healthcare reform; however, he has seen significant legislative obstacles.
Another reason is the perception that Biden is presiding over a sluggish economy that continues to generate mixed data. For instance, even though the unemployment rate continues to decrease, inflation continues to rise, with many economists warning that it could soon outstrip wage growth.
Lastly, the president’s handling of some of the pressing issues such as immigration and foreign policy continue to be heavily criticized, creating a sense of disillusionment among voters who supported him in the last election.
How This Will Affect Joe Biden’s Presidency
The president’s dwindling popularity, coupled with a Republican-controlled Congress, threatens to derail Joe Biden’s presidency significantly. It is becoming increasingly clear that many of the president’s ambitious policy goals may never come to fruition, a worrying prospect considering the significant issues facing America today. The administration’s inability to pass significant legislation, for instance, may translate to fewer political victories and reduced support from the electorate.
Moreover, President Biden may be in a precarious political position, with the midterm elections approaching. Traditionally, the party in power tends to lose a significant number of congressional seats during the midterm elections, and this could put additional pressure on the administration to deliver on some of its policy initiatives. A weak showing in the mid-terms would undoubtedly be a thorn on Biden’s side, making it more challenging for him to push through his agenda in the remaining years of his presidency.
What Does This Mean for the 2024 Elections?
The current poll shows a hypothetical matchup between Donald Trump and Joe Biden in the 2024 elections, in which Trump beats Biden by seven points – 45-38. As we have mentioned earlier, this poll is just a snapshot in time, and much could change before 2024. However, it shows that Donald Trump maintains significant support among a sizeable proportion of voters.
It is also noteworthy that Ron DeSantis has a five-point lead over Joe Biden, indicating that the Florida governor may prove a formidable opponent if he decides to run. While it’s still too early to speculate on potential 2024 candidates, the ABC News/Washington Post poll’s findings suggest that Joe Biden has an uphill task in winning re-election, with his declining popularity and approval ratings putting his presidency at risk.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the latest ABC News/Washington Post poll highlights the precarious state of Joe Biden’s presidency, with his approval ratings at an all-time low of 36%. The poll also shows how Donald Trump continues to hold significant support among a sizeable proportion of voters. The administration’s inability to pass significant legislation and the president’s handling of critical issues have contributed significantly to his declining support among voters. With the mid-term elections approaching, and the president’s declining popularity, the administration faces an uphill battle in passing significant legislation and facing off against a Republican-controlled Congress.