Biden’s job approval dips near its lowest point in new AP poll
Approval WASHINGTON — of President Joe Biden has dipped slightly since a month ago, nearing the lowest point of his presidency as his administration tries to project a sense of stability while confronting two bank failures and inflation that remains stubbornly high.
That’s according to a poll by The Associated PressNORC Center for Public Affairs Research, which shows there have been modest fluctuations in support for Biden over the past several months. The president notched an approval rating of 38% in the new poll, after 45% said they approved in February and 41% in January. His ratings hit their lowest point of his presidency last July, at 36%, as the full weight of rising gas, food and other costs began to
hit U.S. households.
In recent months, approval of Biden had been hovering above 40%. Interviews with poll respondents suggest the public has mixed feelings about Biden, who is expected to announce a reelection bid by this summer.
“Neutral towards approve,” Andrew Dwyer, 30, said of Biden. “I don’t think he’s the best at representing my position and issues. But I know being president involves compromises.”
Dwyer, a data analyst in
Milwaukee, said he voted for the president in 2020 and considers himself to be liberal. He acknowledged the recent bank failures but said the economy is adjusting to higher interest rates set to combat inflation.
“We all got so used to cheap debt and the ability to throw money around,” Dwyer said. He said there were “pain points” caused by higher borrowing costs but that he thinks the process will “ultimately” lead to a healthier economy.
The president has taken ambitious steps to boost the economy, with his $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package in 2021, infrastructure investments, support for computer chip plants and taxes on corporations and the wealthy. But those efforts involve multiyear investments that have yet to provide much optimism to a public dealing with annual inflation at 6%.