Staff Reports
President Biden’s prospects for re-election are looking grim as national and battleground state polls continue to favor his potential challenger, Donald Trump. While the off-year elections showed some success for Biden’s party, it hasn’t translated into a bounce for the president himself. Recent data points reflect dwindling support for Biden, with only 29% of people optimistically saying that the worst is over for the economy. In fact, 78% of voters rate the economy negatively, and 47% describe it as being in “poor” condition, worse than it was in the early days of the Biden administration. Biden’s job rating is also negative, with 59% of voters disapproving of his performance.
On top of that, Biden’s approval numbers on key issues such as inflation, the economy, immigration, guns, and national security are all underwater. In a recent survey, Biden trails behind Trump, Ron DeSantis, and Nikki Haley, with all three Republicans hitting or exceeding 50% support. Additionally, Republicans are preferred by double digits on most of the top issues on voters’ minds. These polling results are undoubtedly worrying for Biden’s chances of retaining the presidency in 2024.
Confidence in Biden Is Strikingly Low and Dems Are Worried https://t.co/m46WBdjsAI
— Urban Cockroach (@ajn1130) November 20, 2023
While there are caveats to consider, such as the distance to the election and the potential for shifts in voter attitudes, the current snapshot of polling does not bode well for Biden. Trump’s lead in the polls could be further solidified if the economy makes a significant bounce-back or if Trump faces legal consequences. Democrats will likely spend millions of dollars to change the narrative from a negative referendum on the incumbent to a choice featuring the unpopular former president. However, Trump’s weaknesses among key demographic groups and Biden’s unpopularity cannot be ignored. Democrats should also be wary of pulling the plug on Biden’s campaign, as other potential candidates like Kamala Harris and Gavin Newsom do not fare much better in hypothetical match-ups against Trump.
In conclusion, the latest polling paints a bleak picture for President Biden’s chances of re-election. With Trump and other Republican candidates gaining steam, Biden’s team will have their work cut out for them. The economy, job approval, and handling of key issues remain major hurdles for Biden to overcome if he hopes to secure another term in office.
