Poll: Biden’s standing hits new lows among voters amid Israel-Hamas war
President Joe Biden's approval rating has plummeted to its lowest point since he took office, according to a new national NBC News poll.
Only 40% of voters say they approve of his job performance, while a majority of 57% disapprove. This marks a significant decline for Biden, who just a few months ago had an approval rating of 41%.
The most concerning aspect of these poll numbers for the President is his handling of foreign policy, with 62% of voters disapproving. This includes a majority of Democrats, who are critical of Biden's support for Israel in the ongoing conflict with Hamas.
This sentiment is even stronger among young voters, with a staggering 70% of 18–34-year-olds expressing disapproval of Biden's foreign policy decisions.
Democratic pollster Jeff Horwitt of Hart Research Associates acknowledges the impact of Biden's foreign policy actions on his declining approval ratings. "Joe Biden is at a uniquely low point in his presidency, and a significant part of this is due to how Americans are viewing his foreign policy actions," he said.
Even Biden's own coalition of voters has expressed dissatisfaction with his job performance. However, Horwitt remains optimistic that Biden can regain their support in the future. "These are people who have a proven track record of voting for Biden and Democrats," he said, highlighting the President's ability to win back these voters.
Nevertheless, the latest poll numbers paint a bleak picture for Biden, with only 33% of voters approving of his handling of foreign policy and just 34% supporting his handling of the Israel-Hamas war.
On the other hand, former President Donald Trump has seen a slight increase in his popularity, with 46% of voters expressing support for him in a hypothetical general-election matchup against Biden.
It's not just foreign policy where Biden is facing criticism. Only 38% of voters approve of his handling of the economy, a minor increase from September's 37%. These numbers come just over a month after the Hamas attack on Israel, which sparked the ongoing war in Gaza that has killed thousands of Palestinians.
While a plurality of Americans, 47%, believe that Israel is justified in its military actions, a majority of Democrats disagree and believe that Israel has gone too far. This divide is reflected in the poll, with 51% of Democratic voters expressing disapproval of Biden's handling of the war.
As the 2024 election approaches, these poll numbers could spell trouble for Biden's chances of re-election. According to the NBC News poll, he currently trails Trump in a hypothetical matchup, with the former President receiving 46% of voter support compared to Biden's 44%.
Trump also leads the pack among Republican voters, with a commanding 58% support in the party's 2024 primary. His closest competitors, Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley, trail far behind at 18% and 13%, respectively.
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These numbers also reflect a pessimistic outlook for the future of the nation, with only 19% of voters expressing confidence that their children's generation will have a better life than them.
As the political landscape continues to shift, it remains to be seen whether Biden can regain the support of disaffected voters and turn his approval ratings around.