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.
Subscribe to 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.
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.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
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?.
-
Supreme Court allows purge of Virginia voter rolls
Speed Read Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) is purging some 1,600 people from state voter rolls days before the election
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'Shale is crucial to the US economy'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - October 31, 2024
Cartoons Thursday's cartoons - cosplayer-in-chief, one more gaffe for the road, and more
By The Week US Published
-
US election: where things stand with one week to go
The Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Donald Trump and the fascism debate
Talking Points Democrats sound the alarm, but Republicans say 'it's always the F-word'
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Harris keeps her crime policies close to the vest
The Explainer How a post-pandemic crime wave changed the Democratic nominee's priorities
By David Faris Published
-
Would Trump really use the military against Americans?
Talking Points The former president says troops could be used against 'enemy within'
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Trump blames migrants for the housing crisis. Experts aren't so sure.
Talking Points Migrants need housing. They also build it.
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Is Trump okay?
Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
US says Israel must up Gaza aid or risk arms halt
Speed Read The Biden administration has provided a 30-day ultimatum to the country
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
The life and times of Kamala Harris
The Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
By The Week UK Published