'Polls Are Polls': Jean-Pierre on Biden's 37 Percent and Voters' Age Concerns; 'Up to Him' on Menendez (September 25, 2023)

With a United Auto Workers strike threatening the economy, a reporter read the White House its own numbers. “According to NBC News polling, 37 percent of registered voters — just 37 percent approve of the President’s handling of the economy,” the reporter said, citing a 56 percent disapproval rating, “the highest of his presidency.” [1]

“And 74 percent of registered voters say they have major or moderate concerns about the President’s age and mental fitness. How troubling is that?” [1]

Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre changed the subject. “Here’s what we’re going to focus on: We’re going to focus on exactly what you just asked me — right? — with the first question, which is: How do we — how do we continue to support the workers?” she said [1].

The video above shows the exchange at the Sept. 25, 2023, briefing. Quotes are from the official transcript published by the American Presidency Project [1].

”Polls Are Polls”

The reporter tried again. “But 37 percent approve?” [1]

“I hear you. I hear you,” Jean-Pierre said. “Polls are polls — right? — they are going to be all over the place. They are going to — they’re going to — you know, they don’t tell the whole story, actually. And that is just the way a poll is.” [1]

Earlier in the answer, she conceded the point. “So, I get — I get the — I get the polling that you’re laying out. I get that. But we — we can’t — we can’t be focused on that,” she said [1].

She credited the President’s agenda instead. “I mean, Bidenomics is — has worked so well that you have Republicans in their own districts, in their own states taking credit for things that the President pushed forward,” Jean-Pierre said [1].

”Appeared to Shake His Head”

Biden had faced the poll questions himself that morning. At a meeting with Pacific Islands leaders, he did not answer shouted questions about why his economic message was not reaching voters or what he would tell striking autoworkers in Detroit, the pool reported. “He smiled and appeared to shake his head slightly when asked about new ABC-Washington Post polling,” the pooler wrote [2].

”I Can’t Speak to Your Polling”

Earlier in the briefing, a reporter cited another poll, on the looming government shutdown. “But our latest polling shows that a higher percentage of Americans would actually blame the shutdown on the President and the Democrats, not on Republicans. Why do you think that is?” [1]

“We’re going to be very clear. This is — this is — this will be a Republican shutdown. Right?” Jean-Pierre said. “I mean, I can’t speak to your polling, but what I can speak is to the facts.” [1]

“Up to Him and the Senate Leadership”

A reporter asked about Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., noting that “the senator himself has said that he is not going anywhere.” “Does the President believe that a person who is facing allegations that are as serious as the allegations confronting the senator that there is any place for somebody like Senator Menendez in the Democratic Party?” [1]

“So, I’m going to be very clear: This is a serious matter,” Jean-Pierre said. She said stepping down as committee chairman “was the right thing to do,” but on anything more: “that’s certainly going to be up to him and the Senate leadership to decide.” [1]

“Point You to the Readout From CBP”

On the southern border, a reporter noted that “some cities are claiming that they are at breaking point with regards to the humanitarian crisis that is ongoing down there.” [1]

“So, I’m going to have to point — point you to the readout from CBP,” Jean-Pierre said [1].

”If You Order a Pepperoni Pizza”

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack joined the briefing to warn about a shutdown, and a reporter Jean-Pierre called Weijia asked about food safety. “Over the weekend, the President mentioned that food safety was also at stake. So, can you give us some examples of how, during previous shutdowns, the absence of food and environmental inspections impacted public health?” [1]

Vilsack explained how the government splits the job. “To show you how silly this is: If you order a pepperoni pizza, we’re guaranteeing the safety of it because there’s meat on that pizza. If you order a cheese pizza, you’re looking at FDA. (Laughter.)” he said [1].

“So, are not all food inspectors considered essential workers? Just ones affiliated with meat and —” the reporter asked. “Well, I can’t speak — I can’t speak to what HHS does or what FDA does. That’s why I think you should visit with them,” Vilsack answered [1].

By the Numbers

37%: registered voters who approved of Biden on the economy, per the NBC poll cited [1].
56%: disapproval, “the highest of his presidency,” per the reporter [1].
74%: voters with major or moderate concerns about Biden’s age and mental fitness [1].
11 years: Menendez’s prison sentence [3].
Over $100,000: gold bars found in the Menendez home, per prosecutors [3].

What Happened Next

Menendez was convicted. Menendez and two businessmen “were convicted on July 16, 2024, following a nine-week jury trial,” federal prosecutors said, and on Jan. 29, 2025, he was sentenced to 11 years in prison [3].

“The sentences imposed today result from an egregious abuse of power at the highest levels of the Legislative Branch of the federal government,” U.S. Attorney Danielle R. Sassoon said. Agents found “over one hundred thousand dollars’ worth of gold bars in the home,” prosecutors said [3].

The shutdown was avoided. Congress passed a stopgap bill that was “Approved September 30, 2023” [5]. For that, see HYGO News’ page on Biden at FEMA.

The age question did not go away. On July 21, 2024, Biden wrote that “I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term” [4]. For his last stand before that, see the page on the Madison rally, and for the UAW strike, the page on the Sept. 15, 2023, briefing.