WASHINGTON (AP) – United States (US) President Joe Biden’s popularity improved substantially from his lowest point this summer, but concerns persist, according to a poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.
Support for Biden recovered from a low of 36 per cent in July to 45 per cent, driven in large part by a rebound in support from Democrats just two months before the November midterm elections.
During a few bleak summer months when gasoline prices peaked and lawmakers appeared deadlocked, the Democrats faced the possibility of blowout losses against Republicans.
Their outlook appears better after notching a string of legislative successes that left more Americans ready to judge the president on his preferred terms.
The president’s approval rating remains underwater, with 53 per cent of US adults disapproving of him, and the economy continues to be a weakness for Biden.
Just 38 per cent approve of his economic leadership as the country faces stubbornly high inflation and Republicans try to make household finances the axis of the upcoming vote.
Still, the poll suggests Biden and his fellow Democrats are gaining momentum.
Gas prices have tumbled 26 per cent since June to USD3.71 a gallon, reducing the pressure on family budgets even if inflation remains high. Congress also passed of landmark bills in the past month that could reshape the economy and reduce carbon emissions.
Biden is also openly casting former president Donald Trump as a fundamental threat to democracy, a charge that resonated after an search of Trump’s Florida home found classified documents that belong to the US government.
This has won Biden some plaudits among the Democratic faithful, even if Americans still feel lukewarm about his leadership.
