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In the midst of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has added to already rising inflation, President Biden’s popular approval rating has reached historic lows. A large majority of Americans believe the country is moving in the wrong direction.
According to a new NBC poll, only 40% of Americans approve of Biden’s overall performance after one year in office, while 71% believe the country is headed in the wrong direction.
Although more than half of Americans today approve of Biden’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, an advantage over previous results in the same poll, 51% disapprove of his foreign policy; 52% believe he has done a poor job in his handling of the Russia-Ukraine war, and 44% show “very little confidence” that the president can handle the crisis that resulted from the invasion.
In that regard, 83% of Americans surveyed worry that the war will increase food and utility prices, 82% fear that the war will involve nuclear weapons, and 74% are worried that the U.S. will send troops to Ukraine.
Overall, 57% believe the U.S. is or will be involved in the Russia-Ukraine war in the coming months.
Biden, the economy and the November elections
Dissatisfaction with the economy is even higher, with 63% disapproving of Biden’s economic policies. However, more than 80% of respondents responded favorably to the decision to ban the import of oil and oil products from Russia.
62% of respondents said their household incomes are falling below the cost of living, while 31% said they are keeping pace and 6% said their incomes are rising faster than the cost of living.
The poll data suggest that the Republican Party will benefit from the Democratic president’s stewardship, not only in the internal primaries, but also in the midterms, set for November.
Although 36% of the voters consulted will wait until the general election to decide, 32% said they will vote in the Republican primaries, compared to 29% who will vote in the Democratic primaries. Consequently, 46% showed a preference for a GOP-dominated Congress, compared to 44% who expect Democratic leadership.
The poll was conducted by Hart Research Associates and Public Opinion Strategy, and conducted by one Republican and one Democratic pollster.
In the view of Republican pollster Bill McInturff, the poll shows that Democrats are headed for a “catastrophic election” in November. Democrat Jeff Horwitt, meanwhile, believes that Americans have not come to Biden’s defense against his action in Europe since the United States has not been “directly involved” in the war.
The poll was conducted March 18-22, prior to the president’s trip to Europe to meet with NATO allies, with a sample of 1,000 adults.
