An itsy-bitsy glimmer of hope for Democrats: Biden is failing extremely early


"How low can they go" is no longer a question for Democrats about the reconciliation bill's price tag. It also applies with equal urgency to President Biden's job approval ratings.
The latest Quinnipiac numbers are devastating for Democrats. Only 38 percent approve of Biden's performance in office while 53 percent disapprove. Among independents, his approval is in the low 30s.
An issue by issue breakdown is even worse. Biden is underwater on his handling of COVID-19 and that's the area where he is strongest. Fifty-four percent disapprove of his handling of taxes, 55 percent the economy, 57 percent the job he has done as commander-in-chief of the armed forces, 67 percent his control of the border with Mexico, and 67 percent on immigration more generally.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
A day earlier, Quinnipiac, whose polling if anything was too favorable to Democrats in recent cycles, released generic ballot numbers showing Republicans leading Democrats in congressional voting preferences. But Biden's numbers are an even bigger concern for the party. A top Democratic data scientist concluded that if Biden was below 50 percent at the end of the year, "we're probably f---ed."
Democrats' only hope is how early Biden's struggles have come. Many candidates have peaked too soon, with polling spikes that cooled off by the time voting started. Perhaps Biden is bottoming out too soon for Republicans to benefit.
The midterm elections are over a year away. The 2024 presidential race is the political equivalent of a lifetime from now. Who knows what might happen if the pandemic finally recedes, the economy and inflation stabilize, some bills get passed and an actual, non-generic Republican becomes the figure with which Biden is contrasted?
The alternative is that sometime between the beginning of the border crisis and the end of the messy Afghanistan withdrawal, the public has permanently lost its confidence in Biden's competence or his ability to deliver the normalcy that eluded his chaotic predecessor.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Democrats have to hope Biden recovers. Otherwise, their narrow majorities could be wiped away in a tsunami that makes 1994 or 2010 look like a blue wave by comparison.
W. James Antle III is the politics editor of the Washington Examiner, the former editor of The American Conservative, and author of Devouring Freedom: Can Big Government Ever Be Stopped?.
-
Is Kash Patel’s fate sealed after Kirk shooting missteps?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION The FBI’s bungled response in the immediate aftermath of the Charlie Kirk shooting has director Kash Patel in the hot seat
-
‘We must empower young athletes with the knowledge to stay safe’
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Fox’s Kilmeade sorry for ‘just kill’ homeless remark
Speed Read Kilmeade’s ‘rare on-air apology’ also served as Fox News’ response to the controversy
-
‘We must empower young athletes with the knowledge to stay safe’
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Graphic videos of Charlie Kirk’s death renew debate over online censorship
Talking Points Social media ‘promises unfiltered access, but without guarantees of truth and without protection from harm’
-
Trump's drug war is now a real shooting war
Talking Points The Venezuela boat strike was 'not a mere law enforcement action'
-
Why are Trump's health rumors about more than just presidential fitness?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION Extended absences and unexplained bruises have raised concerns about both his well-being and his administration's transparency
-
Truck drivers are questioning the Trump administration's English mandate
Talking Points Some have praised the rules, others are concerned they could lead to profiling
-
Gavin Newsom's Trump-style trolling roils critics while thrilling fans
TALKING POINTS The California governor has turned his X account into a cutting parody of Trump's digital cadence, angering Fox News conservatives
-
Inflation derailed Biden. Is Trump next?
Today's Big Question 'Financial anxiety' rises among voters
-
Costco is at the center of an abortion debate
Talking Points The decision to no longer stock the abortion pill came following a pressure campaign by conservatives