As his term concludes, President Joe Biden faces a critical judgment from the American public.
According to AP News, recent polling shows only about one-quarter of U.S. adults rate his tenure positively, marking a stark contrast to his predecessors.
Findings from a recent AP-NORC poll reveal that just one-quarter of Americans view President Joe Biden's service as "good" or "great." This is a significant decline compared to the more favorable reception of former Presidents Donald Trump and Barack Obama during the same phase of their presidencies. Comparatively, about one-third of U.S. adults had positive views of Trump's presidency upon its close, and Obama fared better, with about half rating his presidency positively.
Biden's presidency has not resonated with younger Americans either. According to surveys, only about 10% of Americans under 30 consider Biden to have been a "good" or "great" president, with 60% considering his performance "poor" or "terrible."
Public discontent stems from various areas, including perceived poor management of key issues such as the cost of living, immigration, and international conflicts. Moreover, many feel the nation is not better off now than when Biden began his presidency.
Frustration is evident with only two in ten Americans feeling Biden has fulfilled the promises made during his campaign. This sentiment reflects a broader disappointment that extends across varied demographics.
Evonte Terrell expressed his disillusionment with the current administration's economic policies.
“I feel as though the economy hasn’t progressed in a positive way since he’s been in office,” Terrell said, pointing out the administration's priorities. “The party has become too focused on things like climate change and war while de-emphasizing rebuilding communities and helping the poor.”
Despite these criticisms, Biden’s administration did pass significant legislation concerning public works, microchip production, healthcare, and gun safety, indicating some legislative successes.
The disappointment is particularly apparent among Black and Hispanic Americans, some of whom have shifted their support toward Trump in 2024, signaling a potential realignment in voter base dynamics.
This shift underscores the challenges Biden faced in maintaining the coalition that initially helped him secure the presidency. John Cressey commented on the change in public perception during Biden's term.
“I’m not going to sound like ‘Star Wars,’ that he went over to the dark side and everything that might be implied there... But I think he just lost the pulse of the nation and that’s why Trump won,” Cressey said. He also metaphorically hinted at the economic difficulties by adding, “Go buy a carton of eggs.” The dissatisfaction is also reflected in Biden's persistent low approval ratings, which have hovered around 40% since early 2022.
The overwhelming sentiment among younger Americans categorizes Biden's performance as inadequate, with a significant majority rating his presidency poorly. This demographic's opinion is crucial as it indicates a generational gap in political engagement and satisfaction with current leadership. This generational divide may influence future electoral strategies and party policies, as young voters express their discontent with the status quo.
As Joe Biden prepares to exit the White House, the assessments of his presidency are markedly mixed. His administration witnessed legislative successes but failed to meet the expectations of many Americans on several fronts. His lower approval ratings compared to past presidents at this stage in their terms highlight a presidency caught between ambition and achievable outcomes. The demographic shifts and generational divides revealed in the polling data suggest a complex legacy that will likely prompt significant reflection within the Democratic Party.
