According to a recent CNN poll conducted by SSRS, President Joe Biden’s job approval ratings have seen a significant decline since the beginning of the year. The poll also reveals that the public’s perception of the national economy remains pessimistic, with over 40% expressing serious concerns about rising costs potentially forcing them out of their communities.
Economic Concerns Dominate Public Sentiment
Approximately 40% of Americans identify the economy or the cost of living as the most pressing issue facing the country, a concern that far surpasses any other issue. However, optimism about the future of the economy is scarce. The Democratic Party’s handling of the economy, crime, America’s global role, and immigration is less popular than the GOP’s approach, although the Democrats do have an edge on certain issues.
Democrats Hold Advantage on Distinct Set of Issues
According to the survey, Americans align more with the Democratic stance on abortion, climate change, and voting-related issues, which were key motivators for the Democratic base in the previous midterm elections. The public is evenly divided between the Democratic and Republican strategies for aiding the middle class. Neither party has majority support for its approach to any of the topics tested in the poll, with a significant minority of the public stating that their views do not align with either party’s positions.
Biden’s Approval Ratings Continue to Slide
Biden’s job approval rating, which started the year at 45%, has since seen a further decline. In the latest survey, his job approval rating stands at 37%, with 63% disapproving, marking his worst numbers since taking office. However, this is still slightly higher than former President Donald Trump’s lowest approval rating of 34%, reached in 2021 following the January 6 attack on the US Capitol.
Public Perception of Economic Conditions
A significant 71% majority of Americans rate the country’s economic conditions as poor, with 38% describing them as very poor. This is an improvement from the summer of 2022 when 82% viewed the economy as poor, but it is still far worse than pre-pandemic assessments. Looking ahead, 61% expect the economy to remain poor a year from now.
Public Alignment with Party Views on Key Issues
By a 10-point margin, Americans say their views on the economy align more closely with the Republican Party than with the Democratic Party. They also side with the GOP over the Democrats on crime and policing, immigration, and America’s role in world affairs. However, the public sides with the Democrats on issues such as abortion, climate change, voting rights and election integrity, and education.
Concerns Vary Across Party Lines
Concerns are not evenly distributed across party lines. Republicans and Republican-leaning independents are more likely than Democrats and Democratic leaners to mention immigration or the border as the most important issue facing the nation, and to cite economic-related issues. Conversely, Democratic-aligned adults are more likely than Republican-aligned adults to name issues related to elections and democracy, and to mention environmental or energy issues.
Public Perception of Biden’s Handling of Key Issues
Public opinion on Biden’s handling of key issues is relatively uniform. Just 33% approve of his handling of the economy, 35% of his approach to aiding the middle class, and 36% of his handling of crime. He fares slightly better on environmental policy, with 43% approval.
Economic Concerns Hit Home for Many Americans
While Americans’ concerns for the country as a whole may differ from the issues that worry them within their own communities, economic concerns are a common thread. An 84% majority express worry about the state of the economy in their community, with 43% being very worried. Additionally, 74% are at least somewhat worried that the cost of living will climb so high that they will be unable to remain in their community.
Public Perception of Crime and Potential Solutions
A 72% majority of Americans express worry about the risk of crime in their community, including 33% who are very worried. The public generally supports a range of proposals to reduce crime in their community, including increasing police patrols, increasing police funding, enacting stricter sentencing laws for property crime, and increasing funding for local social services and anti-poverty programs.
Public Confidence in Local Authorities to Reduce Crime
Most Americans express at least some confidence in their local police, other people in their community, and their local government to reduce crime where they live. However, fewer express confidence in their state government or the US government’s ability to reduce crime.
Impact of Presidential Election on Crime Levels
A 57% majority of registered voters believe that the outcome of next year’s presidential election could significantly affect the amount of crime and violence in the country, while 42% believe that crime levels will not be affected by who wins the election.