Staff Reports
In a recent NBC News poll, President Joe Biden’s job approval rating has hit an all-time low. According to NBC News national political correspondent Steve Kornacki, Biden currently has a 40% approval rating, with 57% of Americans disapproving of his job performance. Kornacki points out that this is a significant drop from the start of the year when Biden was nearly even in approval rating.
NEW: President Biden’s job approval rating sinks to 40% amid the Israel-Hamas war in the latest @NBCNews poll.@SteveKornacki: “That is the lowest President Biden has ever measured in our poll.” pic.twitter.com/QD9KqzI148
— Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) November 19, 2023
The poll also reveals an interesting divide among party lines. While 7% of Republicans approve of Biden’s job performance, a surprising 21% of Democrats disapprove. Kornacki emphasizes the importance of having strong support within one’s own party for a successful re-election campaign.
The handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict has also had an impact on Biden’s approval rating. Only 33% of Americans approve of his foreign policy performance, compared to 41% just a few months ago. Kornacki highlights a striking divide between age groups, with the oldest voters showing a majority approval (+12) and the youngest voters overwhelmingly disapproving (70%).
As the numbers reflect Biden’s problems, the question arises: who will the Republicans nominate to oppose him in 2024? The poll indicates that former President Donald Trump leads the field, with two others in double digits. There is a noticeable growth in popularity for Nikki Haley, but she may have difficulty breaking through with core Republican voters who are loyal to Trump.
In a potential rematch between Trump and Biden in 2024, the poll shows Trump leading by 46% to Biden’s 44%. This is the first time in the history of the poll that Trump beats Biden, although the margin of error still plays a role. Kornacki also points out that the gap in likability between the two candidates has narrowed, with Biden now being one point more negative than Trump.
Overall, the poll suggests a shifting political landscape with voters becoming increasingly disaffected with Biden, especially among younger demographics. The possibility of a matchup between Biden and an unnamed Republican shows Biden falling behind, while Trump’s lead against an unnamed Democrat narrows. These results indicate a potential sea change in the upcoming elections.
It is evident that Biden’s declining approval rating and the potential for a Trump comeback reflect the growing dissatisfaction with the current administration. It will be interesting to see how these trends develop and how they will impact the future of American politics.
