President Joe Biden’s poll numbers have taken a major hit as he approaches his first year in office, according to a recent New York Times/Sienna College Poll of 2024 battleground states. The survey, taken just one year before the next presidential election, shows former president Donald Trump with a commanding lead over Biden in five of the six most important battleground states. Biden’s only remaining lead is in Wisconsin and by just two points.
What’s most concerning for the Biden administration is the growing discontent within his own coalition. Demographic groups that heavily supported Biden in 2020 are now more closely contested, with two-thirds of voters stating that the country is moving in the wrong direction under Biden’s presidency.
The Times/Sienna Poll also reveals doubts about Biden’s policies and leadership. A majority of voters believe his policies have personally hurt them, with two-thirds of the electorate seeing the country’s direction as unfavorable. Additionally, Biden’s age and mental acuity are becoming major concerns for voters. At 81 years old, he is the oldest president in American history, and 71 percent of voters believe he is too old to be an effective leader. This includes 54 percent of Biden’s own supporters. In contrast, only 19 percent of Trump supporters think he is too old to lead.
A staggering 62 percent of voters also feel that Biden lacks the mental sharpness to be an effective president. This consensus is shared among all demographics, making it clear that Biden’s age and mental state are not isolated concerns.
The poll results come as no surprise to many Americans, as Biden’s handling of the economy, the border crisis, and the current Israel-Hamas conflict have all been heavily criticized. Trump supporters in particular have been vocal about their dissatisfaction with Biden’s presidency, with many stating that “the world is falling apart under Biden.”
The survey also highlights a significant gender divide, with men favoring Trump by double the margin of women who support Biden. These divisions, along with the steep decline in multiracial and multigenerational support for Biden, paint a concerning picture for the current administration.
While some might question the quick shift in allegiance among voters, the survey provides some insight. Voters credited Trump’s policies for positively impacting them while believing Biden’s policies have personally harmed them. This shows a significant difference in how voters perceive the two presidents.
In conclusion, the Times/Sienna Poll paints a grim picture for President Biden’s chances of winning a second term. With less than a year to go before the 2022 midterm elections, it will be interesting to see if Biden’s approval ratings continue to decline and if these numbers will have an impact on the results.
