The latest Gallup poll reveals that President Joe Biden’s approval ratings for a second term fall below 40 percent. Only 38 percent of U.S. voters believe Biden deserves another term, while 61 percent disagree. However, the poll also indicates that 55 percent of voters surveyed believe their congressional representative deserves to be reelected.
President Biden’s approval ratings have slightly increased since June 2022, with a 5-point rise from 33 percent to 38 percent in terms of deserving a second term. However, his overall rating remains the lowest among the last six presidents. In comparison, Barack Obama had a 43 percent approval rating in 2011, and Bill Clinton had 44 percent in 1996, both of whom went on to win a second term. At the same point in his presidency, Donald Trump had a 50 percent approval rating.
While Biden’s current approval rating stands at 41 percent, Gallup’s analysis highlights the lack of enthusiasm among voters for the reelection of most federal officials. Congressional lawmakers, in particular, receive a mere 24 percent support for another two-year term, the lowest recorded since 2011. However, this figure is an improvement from the 20 percent recorded in 2011 and significantly lower than the 35 percent score from January 2020.
Gallup’s analysis suggests that while congressional approval ratings are unlikely to improve, Biden’s numbers could follow a different trajectory. Historical patterns indicate that presidents like Bill Clinton and Barack Obama experienced an improvement in their electoral fortunes during their reelection years, ultimately securing a second term.
The Gallup survey occurred between January 2 and January 22, engaging 1,011 adults across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The survey outcomes come with a margin of error of plus or minus four percentage points, maintaining a 95 percent confidence interval.
These findings shed light on the current sentiment among U.S. voters regarding President Biden and congressional lawmakers. Elected officials need to take note of these sentiments and work towards addressing the concerns and expectations of their constituents. As the political landscape continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how these approval ratings will impact future elections and the overall trajectory of the country.
