- President Biden's approval rating undercuts its previous low and hits its lowest point
- While Biden's support among Democrats remains relatively strong, it has significantly declined among Republicans and independents
- Biden faces challenges in both domestic and foreign affairs
- The prospects of President Biden's reelection appear grim
President Biden's job approval ratings declined from 39% in November to 33% in early December, marking a new 35-month low. That is the key finding of a TIPP Poll conducted among 1,464 adults and completed on Friday. The poll has a credibility interval of +/- 2.6 percentage points.
Among Democrats, two-thirds (66%) approve of the job he is doing as president. In contrast, a majority of Republicans (86%) and a significant portion of independents (64%) disapprove.
Six out of ten (61%) liberals approve, while only 17% of conservatives and 31% of moderates express approval.
TIPP developed the Presidential Leadership Index to facilitate easy tracking, an innovative metric considering favorability, job approval, and Presidential Leadership.
The Presidential Leadership Index is calculated as the average of these three components. Readings above 50.0 signify optimism, while readings below 50.0 indicate pessimism.
Overall, the index declined by 5.7 points to 37.2 in December, the lowest reading posted during Biden’s 35-month tenure. Among the 36 demographic groups we track, only four posted readings above 50.
Breaking it down by party, Democrats showed a 7.9-point drop, declining from 81.0 in November to 73.1 in December. Republicans, on the other hand, saw a 3.7-point decline to 11.5, while independents fell 3.0 points to 26.0.
The decline was broad-based. Of the 36 demographic groups we track, 15 posted their lowest scores for Biden's presidency this month. The chart below compares the December reading of the Presidential Leadership Index to its 35-month average for each demographic. For example, 37.7 is the December reading for the northeast compared to its 35-month average of 53.9.
Why are President Biden's approval ratings taking a hit?
Under Biden's leadership, most Americans believe the nation is heading in the wrong direction. The survey reveals that only 11% are very satisfied with the country's direction, and an additional 19% are somewhat satisfied. Meanwhile, two-thirds (67%) are dissatisfied, with 30% not very satisfied and another 37% not at all satisfied.
Our Direction of Country Index converts these responses to facilitate easy tracking and ranges from 0 to 100, where scores above 50 are considered positive, below 50 are negative, and 50 represents a neutral standpoint.
The overall index has been in the pessimistic region since August 2021. In December, Republicans (19.5) and independents (28.0) are pessimistic, while Democrats (51.8) are slightly optimistic.
Let us dig deeper and look at a few issues important to Americans.
Handling Of The Economy
The economy is the #1 issue for Americans, and Biden fails miserably on that front. His economic policies, collectively branded as “Bidenomics,” have not lifted Americans up. Bidenflation, the price increase for goods and services under Biden’s watch, runs at 17%.
Americans’ wages have stagnated, and many have taken up second jobs or rely on credit cards to make ends meet.
Overall, one-half (55%) give Biden a “D” or “F” for his handling of the economy. Only 24% give him good grades.
Biden does not even get good grades from a majority of Democrats. Only 47% give him good grades, a testament to his poor performance. Republicans (81%) and independents (63%) give him failing grades.
Immigration
Biden has neglected the influx of migrants on the southern border. Estimates say as many as seven million have crossed the border under Biden’s watch. It is not an exaggeration to state that there is an invasion at the southern border, and the crisis results from President Biden's weak immigration policies.
Americans consider immigration the second-most important issue facing the country, following the economy. Even Democratic politicians in several states have declared states of emergency due to the border crisis.
A majority (56%) are dissatisfied with his handling of immigration and border security. Only one in five (18%) are satisfied. Nearly two-thirds (64%) of independents are dissatisfied.
Handling Crime
Weak immigration policies contribute to an increase in crime. Americans are experiencing increased crime in their neighborhoods.
In December, over half (54%) give Biden failing grades for his handling of crime. Only 19% give him an A or B.
Even among Democrats, a large share (31%) gives him only a C. Another 26% give him a D or F.
Most Republicans (54%) give him an F, with another 23% giving him a D. Meanwhile, most independents grade him poorly: 34% give him a F, and 26% give him a D.
Anti-Semitism
The outbreak of conflict in the Middle East has brought attention to antisemitism in America. Three-fourths (74%) of respondents in a recent TIPP Poll called antisemitism and anti-Jewish prejudice either a very serious (47%) or a somewhat serious (27%) problem.
Many feel that Biden has not addressed the problem forcefully. Only one-fourth (24%) give him good grades.
Foreign Policy
While Biden is not doing well on domestic issues, he is also not doing well with foreign affairs. The TIPP Standing In The World Index measures how Americans feel about the nation’s standing in the world, a proxy measure of the effectiveness of the president’s foreign policy.
The index ranges from 0 to 100, where scores above 50 are considered positive, scores below 50 are negative, and 50 represents a neutral standpoint.
The overall index has been in the pessimistic region since August 2021. In December, Republicans (21.1) and independents (25.4) are pessimistic, while Democrats are barely optimistic at 50.2.
Handling The Israel-Hamas Conflict
Nearly half (46%) are unhappy with his handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict. Just a quarter (24%) give him good grades.
While nearly half (46%) of Democrats give him positive grades, a quarter (24%) give him a C, and another 23% give him failing grades of D or F.
Two-thirds (68%) of Republicans and half of independents (52%) give him failing grades.
Handling Iran
A segment of Americans thinks that the $6 billion Biden gave to Iran has helped fund Hamas’s terrorist activities. Biden’s efforts to slow Iran's acquisition of a nuclear bomb have not been effective.
Nearly one-half (49%) give him failing grades, while one-fifth (19%) give him good grades.
Russia-Ukraine War
The U.S. is fighting a proxy war with Russia, and President Biden has yet to develop a strategy to end the war. ‘As long as it takes’ is his strategy. He has already committed over $100 billion, and the U.S. is on tap to fund Ukraine’s reconstruction, estimated at $750 billion.
The data echoes the dissatisfaction, with 45% giving him a D or F for handling the war. Only 27% see Biden in a positive light.
Handling China
Americans don’t think that President Biden stands tough against China.
Only one in five (22%) gives him good grades on the issue. Only Democrats (42%) are satisfied. Most Republicans (74%) and independents (52%) are unhappy.
In summary, December 2023 marks a turning point for the Biden presidency. Recent polls consistently show Trump leading over Biden, further supporting this notion. The approval rating below 35% is worrisome. Despite the advantages of incumbency, Biden may have reached a point of no return, and his chances of reelection appear grim.
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