Despite the recent decline in inflation, US President Joe Biden's approval rating has remained steady at 40% in early August, indicating that concerns about the economy have influenced
Americans' perceptions of his performance, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted this week.
The three-day online survey, which inquired about Americans' approval or disapproval of Biden's job performance, matched the 40% rating recorded in July.
Among those polled, 54% expressed disapproval of the Democratic president's performance, while 6% were uncertain or declined to answer. The poll has a margin of error of three percentage points.
The economy, unemployment, and jobs continue to be the primary concerns for Americans, with 20% of respondents identifying it as the most significant issue facing the United States today. Sixty percent of Americans, including a third of Democrats, disapproved of Biden's handling of inflation.
In an effort to highlight recent economic progress and the effectiveness of what the White House refers to as "Bidenomics" (Biden's economic principles), senior cabinet members and President Biden himself have participated in demonstrations across the country.
Under President Biden's leadership, US households have experienced some of the highest inflation rates in decades, even though the rate of price increases has recently declined significantly. While economic growth has been modest, the unemployment rate has dropped to its lowest level in years.
Another Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted last week suggested that concerns about the economy could impact Mr. Biden's support in the 2024 election, where he could face former Republican President Donald Trump. Around 20% of respondents who voted for Biden in 2020 indicated uncertainty about their voting choice this time around.
Mr. Biden's current approval rating of 40% is only four points higher than the 36% he held in mid-2022.
The poll also provided positive insights for Democrats. As some Republican officials at the state level advocate for stricter abortion bans, the survey revealed that 81% of Americans oppose allowing states to prosecute individuals who travel to other states for abortions. This sentiment includes 68% of Republicans and 90% of Democrats.
Moreover, 70% of Americans, including 61% of Republicans, support regulating "ghost guns," or homemade firearms from kits, and limiting their production to approved manufacturers. Joe Biden's administration is working to curb the sale of these untraceable firearms.
The Reuters/Ipsos poll, conducted online in English from August 4-6, collected responses from 1,032 adults in a nationally representative sample. Photo by Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, Wikimedia commons.