In a recent Wall Street Journal poll, President Joe Biden finds himself grappling with historically low approval ratings and trailing former President Donald Trump in a hypothetical 2024 head-to-head matchup. The survey, conducted from November 29 to December 4, with a margin of error of +/- 2.5 percentage points, paints a challenging picture for the Biden administration.
In the hypothetical scenario of a two-candidate race, Trump leads Biden 47% to 43%. Even when additional independent candidates are introduced, Trump still maintains a lead, trailing 37% to Biden’s 31%. The survey reveals a growing dissatisfaction with Biden’s policies, with only 23% of respondents claiming personal benefit from his initiatives, while 53% feel adversely affected.
Comparing policy approaches, the poll indicates that respondents believe Trump was more effective in handling the economy, inflation, and border security. Additionally, Trump outperformed Biden in areas such as crime, managing the Israel-Hamas conflict, and economic policies. On the flip side, Biden scored higher on issues like abortion and setting a positive tone in politics.
The poll also sheds light on Biden’s overall approval rating, hitting a new low with only 37% approval. A staggering 61% of respondents view his image unfavorably, marking a record high in the survey. The negative sentiment extends to Biden’s performance compared to Trump, with a majority favoring Trump on critical issues.
Jason Miller, a Senior Trump Advisor, seized on the results, emphasizing the perceived decline under Biden’s leadership. He pointed to “runaway inflation, a porous southern border, crime in our streets, and chaos around the globe” as indicators of a less favorable environment under Biden’s administration.
The survey suggests a potential struggle for Biden among traditionally Democratic-leaning groups, particularly young Latino and Black Americans. These groups, traditionally aligned with the Democrats, appear to be experiencing economic stress and challenges, possibly contributing to waning enthusiasm compared to the 2020 and 2022 turnouts.
Biden’s decline in approval ratings began in August 2021, coinciding with criticism of his handling of the U.S. exit from Afghanistan and a surge in COVID-19 cases. Factors such as soaring inflation and a surge in migrants at the southern border have further contributed to his declining popularity.
While the Biden campaign and Democratic allies draw parallels to Barack Obama’s reelection in 2012, where unfavorable polling a year earlier did not materialize at the ballot box, the current situation seems more challenging for Biden. Unlike Obama, Biden faces deficits in public opinion that are more pronounced and persistent.
As the 2024 election looms, the polls indicate a challenging road ahead for President Biden, emphasizing the need for strategic adjustments to address the concerns of an increasingly dissatisfied electorate.