Topline
Nearly one year into Joe Biden’s presidency, half of Americans report being frustrated with his performance and are unsatisfied with his handling of the economy, high inflation rates and the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a poll released Sunday from CBS News and YouGov.
U.S. President Joe Biden gives remarks on his administration's response to the surge in COVID-19 ... [+]
Key Facts
When asked how the Biden Presidency made them feel, 50% of respondents said “frustrated,” 49% said “disappointed” and 40% said “nervous,” compared to the 25% who said “calm” and “relaxed” respectively.
Inflation, which rose to a recent record of 7% in December, was a big problem area: 65% of respondents said Biden is not focusing enough on it and 70% disapproved of the administration’s handling of the issue—though of those who disapprove of the president, 63% said their opinion would improve if inflation rates decreased.
Biden’s handling of the economy was also a major issue for respondents: 58% said his administration is not focusing on the economy enough, and 62% disapprove of their handling of it.
As the omicron wave caused record Covid-19 infections, 64% said Biden’s handling of the pandemic was “going badly,” and of those who disapproved of his performance in this area, 69% said it’s because messaging has been confusing.
Despite Biden’s laser focus on passing his “Build Back Better” set of social reforms, 39% of respondents said the president and the democratic party are focusing on issues they don’t care about, and only 24% said their opinion of the president would improve if “Build Back Better” gets passed.
Big Number
44%. That’s Biden’s approval rating, according to CBS News. It reached a high of 62% in March, and took a major dip starting in October. At this time in their presidencies, former President Obama had an approval rating of 50% and former President Trump had one of 37%.
Key Background
The poll comes days after the Supreme Court shot down Biden’s vaccine mandate for private employers, though a mandate for healthcare workers was allowed to continue. Last month, Senator Joe Manchin (D-W. Va.) said publicly he would not support Biden’s $1.8 trillion “Build Back Better” bill, which he would be a much-needed swing vote on, though the two vowed to keep discussing the bill. Manchin and Sen. Krysten Sinema (D-Ariz.) said Thursday they will not support abolishing the filibuster, a move that would pave the way to passing voting rights reform, another key aspect of Biden and the Democratic Party’s legislative agenda.
Further Reading
Supreme Court Blocks Biden’s Private Employer Vaccine Mandate But Lets Healthcare Rule Take Effect (Forbes)
Biden To Meet With Manchin, Sinema In Last-Ditch Bid For Voting Rights Bill (Forbes)