The American political landscape paints a telling tale. A tale of an administration hoping that the challenges they face were merely a personality problem, tied to the incumbent president, rather than being a deep-seated policy issue. After a sobering poll by Suffolk University/USA TODAY, Democrats found themselves grappling with declining numbers for President Joe Biden’s approval ratings.
A closer look into the poll figures presented a chilling reality to the Democrats. President Biden, who rode on a victory characterized by optimism and promises of change, saw his approval rating tumble to a low of 38%. A closer look at the demographics reveals that the decline was steepest among the groups Biden had decisively won in the 2020 elections – Black voters, women, and independents.
The political party governing the nation now finds itself in an unenviable position. Many Democratic leaders harbor the hope that the fall in approval ratings could be a ‘Biden Problem’ as opposed to being a revelation of dissatisfaction with their policies.
Diving into the specifics, the party’s ambitious agenda on issues such as healthcare, environment, and infrastructure might have contributed to the backlash. However, for many Democrats, this is a bitter pill to swallow. Many still attest to the fact that these policies align with the ideal America they envision – an all-inclusive, greener, and more equitable nation.
In response to the alarming poll data, strategists within the Democratic Party started considering a change in approach. They are now seen to pivot towards a focus on the economy, jobs, and inflation, given that these matters rank higher in the list of concerns held by the average American, according to the Suffolk University/USA TODAY poll.
The hope within many Democratic factions is that the change in approach will sway the public sentiment back in their favor. They remain optimistic that the decline in ratings can be attributed more to the person, President Biden, rather than the policies advanced by the party.
The growing disillusionment among the population, as expressed in the polls, has found its roots in the unfulfilled promises on various fronts that the Biden administration championed. COVID-19 response, immigration, Afghanistan – these are the contentious issues that have led to discontentment among the American public.
In this context, the hope that the poor polling performance is primarily a Biden problem seems to be more of a comforting thought for the Democrats than a reflection of reality. Policy issues and unfulfilled promises have contributed in no small measure to the fall in approval ratings. However, a reassessment of strategy and reorienting focus towards areas of primary concern for the American public might yet win the day for the Democratic Party.
Essentially, the Democrats’ dilemma boils down to a tussle between retaining their idealist policy stances or switching gears towards addressing ground-level concerns. The path they choose will significantly determine their political fate as we approach the 2022 midterms.