In a recent poll by the Berkeley Institute of Government Studies, 52% of California voters expressed disapproval of President Biden’s job performance.
According to the new Berkeley IGS poll, Biden’s approval rating among California voters stands at 44%, a decline from the 57% approval he enjoyed in February 2023.
This 13-point drop reflects growing dissatisfaction with the President's handling of key issues.
Of particular concern for the Biden administration is the waning support among young voters. In the 18-29 age bracket, Biden's approval rating has plummeted to a mere 34%. This stark decrease represents a 10% drop since May 2023.
Contrasting this decline is a 4-point increase in Biden's approval among voters aged 65 and older during the same period. However, this gain is overshadowed by the overall negative trend in public opinion, SF Gate reported.
Californians also expressed dissatisfaction with Biden's approach to several key policy areas. Only 31% of those surveyed approve of his handling of inflation, and a similar proportion, 32%, approve of his approach to crime.
Further, just 34% of Californians approve of Biden’s stance on China, and only 35% endorse his position on the Israel-Hamas conflict. These figures indicate significant challenges for the administration in these critical international affairs.
The Berkeley IGS poll also shed light on the hypothetical 2024 matchup between Biden and former President Donald Trump. Compared to the 2020 election, the poll suggests a much narrower margin if an election were held today, indicating a potential shift in the political landscape.
As quoted from the poll, "Biden’s 2020 margin over Trump would be sliced in half (46% to 31%)." This dramatic change suggests a rekindling of support for Trump in the state, a worrying trend for the Democratic Party.
These poll results come just as President Biden is preparing to visit San Francisco for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit next week. This visit might face protests due to his declining popularity and discontent over his policy decisions.
The potential for protests during Biden's visit is highlighted by Californians' dissatisfaction with his handling of various international conflicts, including the Israel-Hamas war.
Looking back to April 2021, shortly after Biden took office, he enjoyed a 62% approval rating in California, with only 34% disapproval. This high approval early in his term underscores the severity of the recent decline.
By February 2023, his approval rating had dipped to 57%. This gradual decline has been more pronounced among younger voters, who have shown increasing disapproval of the President’s performance.
Nationally, Biden’s performance in key battleground states is also under scrutiny. A recent New York Times/Siena poll shows Trump leading Biden in states like Nevada and Georgia, further underscoring the President's challenges.
As reported, "The poll found that Trump was leading Biden by a whopping 10 percentage points in Nevada, and by 6 points in Georgia." These figures from battleground states mirror the growing discontent observed in California.
President Biden faces significant challenges in maintaining support among his base, particularly in California, a key Democratic stronghold.
With young voters turning away and specific policy areas receiving low approval ratings, the administration must address these issues to regain footing.
