Although most like @POTUS Biden personally, words like “frustrated” and “disappointed” top people’s descriptions of things, along with the feeling that he’s “distracted” and not focusing on what they care about.
Perceived focus matters: @POTUS gets much more overall disapproval from people who don’t think he’s focused enough on inflation or the economy. That’s true even if you control for partisanship.
His rating for handling the economy today is a mere 38%, and about half who think it’s bad blame @POTUS’s policies. Even more blame larger forces like inflation and supply chain issues.
WHAT COULD TURN THINGS AROUND FOR @POTUS? Inflation — not legislation.
Detractors say they’d think better of Biden if he manages to get inflation down – and say so at more than twice the rate than if the Build Back Better bill passes- or voting rights, for that matter.
A year ago, a slim majority expected the pandemic to get better with @POTUS Biden in office. But with Omicron taking its toll, just 1/3rd think the effort to contain it is going well, with a similar number saying his policies are helping make it better.
COVID APPROVAL SLIDES: @POTUS job rating on handling COVID at lowest point in his presidency, and when asked specifically why they don’t think he’s handling it well, 2/3rds cite information about the outbreak being confusing. Few attribute it to a lack of vaccinations.
WHY IS THE ECONOMY IN BAD SHAPE? Those who think so blame inflation, supply chain issues, and the coronavirus outbreak along with @POTUS’s policies.
ASSESSING BIDEN APPROVAL (pt 1): 6 in 10 voters under 30 voted for @POTUS in 2020, but his approval rating among Americans under 30 has dropped from 70% in February to just 42% now — double the size of the decline among other age groups.
ASSESSING BIDEN APPROVAL (pt 2): Liberal and very liberal Democrats are still more approving of @POTUS than are moderate Democrats. Liberal D’s still say he’s focused on the right things.
ASSESSING BIDEN APPROVAL (pt 3): Here’s how @POTUS compares at the 1-year mark compared to predecessors:
BIDEN’S ACTIONS AS PRESIDENT: Fewer than half describe @POTUS’s actions as “competent”, “effective,” or “focused.” More now call him “distracted.”
A quarter of those who disapprove of the job he’s doing say they like him personally, according to the @CBSNewsPoll. People who hold these views are more likely to identify as independent than with either of the two parties.
LITTLE BIDEN BUYERS’ REMORSE: About 9 in 10 Biden voters still feel better about having him as president than Trump. Even among Biden voters who feel “disappointed” or “frustrated” about his presidency, most feel better about having him in office than they felt about Trump.
When people don’t think @POTUS is focusing on things they care about, they’re more likely to feel he doesn’t care about them. Fewer Americans now think the president cares about their needs and problems than they did last March.
FROM NEW @CBSNewsPoll: an increased number of voters, including many Democrats, don't think @JoeBiden should be running for president at all. Nearly half his party doesn't think he should now be the nominee. cbsnews.com/news/poll-deba…
Look how the number changed in a month and a half…
Notably, @realDonaldTrump’s cognitive health also doubted by about half the country…
NEW FROM @cbsnewspoll: The economy's long, hot, and uncertain summer … and tough news for @POTUS Biden on how he’s handling it https://t.co/HHWdbrIT90cbsnews.com/news/economy-o…
Have you heard about “Bidenomics?” Not many have, and if they have, it’s not necessarily for reasons the White House would want: “Higher Inflation” “Tax Increases” lead infrastructure and job creation.
BIDEN APPROVAL: @POTUS slips to 40% overall, his worst from @CBSNewsPoll. On the economy, barely a third approve of his handling.
What do Americans want to hear about? The economy and inflation. Lowering the latter is a high priority for so many. Immigration is especially important to Republicans who plan to watch, Democrats are more interested in hearing about addressing racism and climate change.
Democrats are far more likely to say they'll watch the #StateOfTheUnionAddress. Most who say they're very likely to watch already approve of his job performance.
JUST IN: The private home of the President of the United States was searched by the Justice Department on Friday, according to @POTUS Biden’s personal attorney. DOJ“took possession of materials it deemed within the scope of its inquiry.”
Here’s the full statement from Bob Bauer, noting that DOJ “took possession of materials it deemed within the scope of its inquiry, including six items consisting of documents with classification markings and surrounding materials.”
A separate statement from the White House Counsel’s Office notes “Neither the President nor the First Lady were present during the search. The President’s lawyers and White House Counsel’s Office will continue to cooperate with DOJ and the Special Counsel…”
NEW: The consumer price index climbed 0.4% for the month. For the year, inflation was up 8.2% in September, down from the June peak of 9% but still on par with high peaks not seen since the 1980s.
ALSO NEW: Amid increasing prices, @SocialSecurity announces an 8.7% increase in benefits payments next year. That's expected to increase monthly checks by an average of about $150 per month. Notable: Biggest increase ever experienced by baby boomer seniors.
WATCH: @SocialSecurity payments jumping big time next year amid ongoing inflation.
Kelly enjoys wide lead among voters who say abortion very important, but that advantage countered somewhat by voters who emphasize immigration. Immigration is 3rd “very important” issue. Among voters saying immigration very important, Masters leads big, helping keep race close.
In the wake of a judge reinstating a law that bans virtually all abortons in AZ, most voters would have abortion be legal in all or most cases; majorities would not criminalize it.
Women, more so than men, say an illegal abortion should not result in a criminal penalty.