Staff Reports
President Joe Biden is currently facing significant challenges with his approval rating. Recent polls indicate that former President Donald Trump has taken the lead over Biden in key battleground states that Biden had won in 2020. This presents a concerning situation for Biden's prospects of winning a second term, as his approval rating currently stands at a low 37 percent. This places him lower in approval ratings than his six immediate predecessors at the same stage of their presidencies. Only Jimmy Carter, with a 32 percent approval rating at a similar point in his presidency, was less popular than Biden.
President Biden Job Approval
Approve 38% [-2]
Disapprove 55% [+3][Change vs September 26]
Biden's lowest approval rating by Morning Consult since June 2022
Morning Consult | n=45,000 | 10/25-31https://t.co/HyVa60H4b3
— InteractivePolls (@IAPolls2022) November 2, 2023
In the realm of American politics, it's generally believed that an incumbent president should maintain an approval rating around 50 percent to have a strong chance at re-election. Biden began his presidency with a 57 percent approval rating, but that has seen a significant decline. Comparatively, past presidents such as Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and even Donald Trump all held higher approval ratings at this stage in their respective presidencies. It's worth noting that George H.W. Bush had the highest approval rating at 59 percent but still lost to Bill Clinton in 1992.
Several factors have contributed to Biden's declining approval ratings. These include the troubled withdrawal from Afghanistan, economic challenges, and the ongoing border crisis. Rising inflation and interest rates have placed a burden on the middle class, while the situation at the southern border has led to a humanitarian crisis and national security concerns. Additionally, Biden has faced criticism for his handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict, with internal divisions within his own party adding further complexity to his re-election campaign.
While Biden's approval ratings may suggest a difficult path to re-election in 2024, the unpredictability of politics should not be underestimated. It serves as a reminder that in politics, surprising outcomes are not uncommon. Only time will reveal how Biden's approval ratings will ultimately affect his chances of securing a second term, but it is evident that he faces significant challenges that will require addressing to improve his standing.
