Biden Economy Approval Hits 33% — “Ticked Down and Down and Down” to New Low; 68% Want Economy as Top Priority Over Russia

On 3/28/2022, multiple polls converged to paint a devastating picture of Biden’s standing. His economy approval hit 33% — a new low — with nearly two-to-one disapproval (33-63). Overall approval sat between 34% and 40% depending on the poll, with an analyst noting it had “ticked down and down and down” since the start of his presidency. 68% of Americans wanted Biden to prioritize the economy over the Russia-Ukraine war. Democrats were losing the generic ballot, and a progressive warned Biden was losing “young people” and “the Democratic base.”

33% on the Economy

An analyst walked through the numbers. “Biden’s handling of the economy — now almost two-to-one disapproving: 33, 63,” the analyst said. “Compare this to our previous poll in January. Back then he was closer to 40%. Now he’s closer to 30%.”

“Long-term, since the start of his presidency in 2021, this number — approval of Joe Biden on the economy — has just ticked down and down and down. This is a new low for him on the economy: 33, 63,” the analyst added.

On overall approval, the slide was consistent. “We find in this poll a 40% approval rating for Joe Biden. Now well over 50% disapprove,” the analyst reported. “Compare this to our last poll taken in January — it was 43. Now it’s down to 40. So he’s moved in the wrong direction in the last couple of months.”

A separate poll had Biden at 34%. An analyst said: “I’m surprised it’s that high.”

Economy Over Russia by 68-29

Americans were clear about what they wanted Biden to focus on. “Which do voters think should be Joe Biden’s top priority?” the analyst asked. “68-29 when it comes to dealing with the economy” over Russia and Ukraine.

“What do you think the most important issue facing the country is?” the analyst continued. “The top two: cost of living, jobs, and the economy."

"Collapse Among Young People and the Base”

A progressive sounded the alarm. “We need to acknowledge that this isn’t just about middle-of-the-road and increasingly narrow band of independent voters,” the progressive said. “This is really about the collapse in support among young people, among the Democratic base, feeling like they worked overtime to get this president elected and they aren’t necessarily being seen.”

The political consequences were showing. “Republicans right now with a two-point advantage in our poll, 46-44 over Democrats,” an analyst reported on the generic ballot.

Biden Underwater on Ukraine Too

Even on Ukraine — typically an area where wartime presidents see a boost — Biden was underwater. “When it comes to Biden’s handling of the situation, he’s underwater: 41 approved, 52 disapproved,” the analyst said.

The absence of a rally-around-the-flag effect was itself newsworthy. Despite a major international crisis that would normally boost a president’s numbers, Biden was declining on every measure simultaneously.

Granholm’s EV Pitch — Again

Energy Secretary Granholm again pitched electric vehicles as the solution to gas prices. “If you have a 15-gallon tank and you went to fill it up at the average gas price of $3.80, you’d be paying $54. If you had an electric vehicle and plugged it in at home, it would cost you about $12,” Granholm said. “$54 versus $12. That is a huge savings.”

“The movement to electrifying our transportation system will also put money in people’s pockets. That’s very exciting,” Granholm added — a pitch that continued to fall flat for Americans who could not afford new EVs.

Harris: “Time for Us to Do What We Have Been Doing”

VP Harris delivered another circular statement. “It is time for us to do what we have been doing, and that time is every day. Every day, it is time for us to agree,” Harris said — a sentence that communicated nothing while appearing to say something.

The Structural Problem

The polling revealed a structural problem for Democrats heading into the midterms. Biden was declining not just with independents — the traditional swing voters — but with his own base. Young voters who had powered his 2020 victory were disenchanted. Latino voters were shifting. The economy was the dominant concern, and Biden’s answer — Build Back Better and the transition to clean energy — was not what Americans were asking for.

The generic ballot had flipped to Republicans for the first time, and every trendline was moving in the wrong direction simultaneously: overall approval, economy approval, foreign policy confidence, and party preference.

”He’s Perfect for Now”

At an event, a speaker introduced Biden with notable framing. “I’m glad you didn’t win before because we really needed you to win now for president. He’s perfect. He’s perfect for now,” the speaker said — unintentionally suggesting Biden’s suitability was temporary.

Key Takeaways

• Biden’s economy approval hit a new low of 33% with nearly two-to-one disapproval (33-63), having “ticked down and down and down” since taking office.
• 68% of Americans wanted Biden to prioritize the economy over Russia-Ukraine; cost of living was the top issue.
• A progressive warned of “collapse in support among young people and the Democratic base.”
• Republicans led Democrats 46-44 on the generic ballot heading into midterms.
• Biden was underwater even on Ukraine handling (41-52) — no wartime rally effect.

Transcript Highlights

The following is transcribed from the video audio (unverified — AI-generated from audio).

• Biden’s handling of the economy: 33, 63. This number has ticked down and down and down. A new low.
• 68-29 — voters think Biden’s top priority should be the economy, not Russia.
• This is about the collapse in support among young people, among the Democratic base.
• Republicans with a two-point advantage, 46-44, on the generic ballot.
• If you had an electric vehicle, it would cost about $12. $54 versus $12. That’s very exciting.
• I’m glad you didn’t win before. He’s perfect for now.

Full transcript: 808 words transcribed via Whisper AI.