Staff Reports
Earlier in the week, a new poll from The Wall Street Journal showed some troubling news for President Joe Biden. But it seems that wasn’t the only poll with bad news for him. Polls highlighting his handling of the economy and inflation have been consistently negative for weeks now.
The issue of inflation is particularly concerning. Prices have continued to rise, impacting the cost of goods and services for Americans. In November, the Consumer Price Index showed a 0.1 percent increase in costs, leading to a 12-month increase of 3.1 percent. This is not a good look for Biden, especially when compared to former President Donald Trump, who had better approval ratings on the economy and inflation during his time in office.
A recent CBS News poll found that Americans are feeling the impact of inflation on their living standards and opportunities. The poll revealed that 76 percent of respondents feel that their income is not keeping up with inflation. It’s no wonder that Biden’s approval rating on inflation is just 30 percent. This is his worst issue among the topics tracked by RealClearPolitics.
While the president and his administration have tried to shift blame for inflation, the majority of poll respondents believe that the president has the power to control it. This belief is shared by 60 percent of those surveyed, indicating that the public holds Biden responsible for the high inflation rates. It’s interesting to note that during similar sentiment polls in the 1970s and 1980s, fewer Americans believed the president had control over inflation. This means that inflation may be an even bigger problem for Biden than it was for then President Jimmy Carter, who went on to lose to Ronald Reagan in a landslide election.
Inflation is not the only economic issue where Biden is receiving disapproval. A majority of Americans, 55 percent, disapprove of his handling of “jobs & unemployment,” and 60 percent disapprove of his overall handling of the economy. These numbers indicate a lack of confidence in Biden’s ability to address economic matters effectively.
Biden’s reelection campaign is now looking to launch a $25 million aid campaign to highlight the president’s efforts to bring down prices and restore the economy. However, firing off social media posts and spending millions on advertising may not be enough to sway public opinion. Multiple polls are already showing Biden losing in several swing states, making his chances at reelection uncertain.
Republicans should not, however, get too overconfident about these poll results. While they appear to be in their favor now, there is still a long time until the next election. It’s important to maintain focus and continue to present strong conservative alternatives to the current administration’s policies.
The recent polls highlighting Biden’s handling of the economy and inflation do not bode well for the president. As inflation remains a significant concern for Americans, Biden’s approval ratings on the issue continue to plummet. It’s clear that the public holds him responsible for the rising costs and feels that their income is not keeping up. These negative poll numbers should serve as a wakeup call for the Biden administration as they attempt to address the economic challenges facing the nation.
