As Joe Biden gets ready to leave office, many Americans think less of his presidency than they did of Donald Trump’s or Barack Obama’s at the end of their terms, according to a new poll. Only about 25% of adults in the U.S. believe Biden was a good or great president, with fewer than 10% saying he was great. This poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows that Biden’s legacy feels damaged, even to some of his own party members, who see his presidency as just okay.
About a third of people surveyed thought Trump was a good or great president when he left office in 2021, and around 20% thought he was great, despite his actions that led to a violent attack on the Capitol. Both Biden and Trump had similar views, with half of Americans saying both presidents did a poor or terrible job. However, more people felt Biden was average compared to Trump, who had fewer people say the same.
Biden’s approval ratings aren’t great when compared to Obama, who roughly half of Americans viewed positively when he left office. Also, according to another poll by Gallup, Biden’s ratings are similar to those of President Richard Nixon during his resignation amid a scandal. Other presidents like Trump and Jimmy Carter saw better views of their presidencies over time, but most people currently feel unimpressed with Biden, including many Democrats.
A 79-year-old Democrat from Los Angeles, John Cressey, mentioned that he thinks Biden has lost touch with what Americans want, saying, “Go buy a carton of eggs!” This highlights the disappointment many feel about economic issues.
The disappointment is especially strong among Black and Hispanic Americans, who usually support Democrats but are turning toward Trump for the 2024 election. The difference is clear when comparing opinions of Biden and Obama. About 60% of Black Americans thought Obama kept his promises, while only 30% think the same about Biden. Additionally, while 70% said they were better off at the end of Obama’s term, only a third feel that way about Biden’s presidency.
Younger people are especially negative about Biden; only 10% of those under 30 believe he was a good or great president, while about 60% think he was poor or terrible. Many young Americans feel that Biden has not helped with issues like student loan payments, which they believe he has not effectively addressed.
Many Americans think Biden did not fulfill his promises made during his campaign. Although his administration passed several significant laws, only 20% believe he kept his promises. About half of Democrats also think he tried but failed, while 40% say he succeeded in some areas.
Overall, when Americans look back, they generally do not believe that Biden has left the country in a better state. They had mixed feelings about job creation and prescription drug costs but felt he made things worse regarding immigration and the cost of living. Many also felt that he did not help with the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, especially among younger voters.
In summary, Biden’s presidency seems to have left many Americans feeling disappointed, with many believing they are in a worse position than when he took over.
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