President Biden gears up for his upcoming State of the Union address, a recent Fox News survey paints a bleak picture of public sentiment. The findings, released just in time for the address, indicate that majorities of American voters disapprove of the president’s performance across crucial areas, setting the stage for a challenging political landscape.
Border security emerges as the most contentious issue, with a staggering 71% of respondents believing that the administration has largely failed in improving the situation at the border. Only 24% express confidence in the administration’s success. The survey underscores the widespread concern, with 78% describing the border situation as either an emergency or a major problem.
The dissatisfaction extends within the Democratic party, where 66% label the border situation as an emergency or a major problem. Interestingly, despite 82% blaming Congressional inaction, a significant 51% of Democrats hold Biden responsible for not enforcing existing laws. The blame game continues, with 81% pointing fingers at Congress and 72% at Biden.
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Moving beyond border security, the survey reveals a cascade of disapproval. A whopping 69% of respondents feel that Biden has mostly failed at unifying the country, while similar sentiments are echoed on issues such as making the country safer (63%), handling the economy (61%), and improving America’s global image (61%). Additionally, 58% believe he has fallen short in aiding working-class Americans.
The partisan divide looms large, with Republicans overwhelmingly expressing negativity and Democrats offering mixed views. Even within Democratic ranks, only 44% believe Biden has succeeded in improving border security, and 50% in unifying the country. Independents, too, lean towards skepticism, with more than half believing Biden has mostly failed on each issue.
Comparisons with the past administration shed light on the shifting landscape. Trump’s numbers, though not stellar, appear less dire than Biden’s. The economy, a key factor, sees Biden gaining his best marks, albeit with only 37% approval. Notably, on issues such as national security, border security, and the economy, Trump faced negative sentiments, but the margins were smaller.
A resounding 72% of voters express dissatisfaction with the country’s direction, marking a significant uptick from 53% at the start of Biden’s term. The economy emerges as a pivotal factor, with 57% feeling they have less money in their pockets than a year ago. Despite some optimism (26% positive), a substantial 73% rate current conditions negatively.
The economic sentiment is a thorn in Biden’s side, with 58% believing the U.S. is weaker under his leadership. Furthermore, by a 23-point margin, voters perceive Biden’s policies as hurting rather than helping them. Approval ratings, currently at 42%, remain below the 45% mark for the past year.
Vice President Harris, mirroring Biden’s ratings, stands at 39% approval and 58% disapproval. As the State of the Union address looms, the survey’s revelations create a challenging backdrop for the Biden administration, prompting reflection on how to address the concerns voiced by a significant majority of the American electorate.
