Biden's Approval Ratings: A Complex Analysis

As of the latest polling, more Americans disapprove than approve of how Biden is handling his job as president, with a disapproval rate of 56% to 43%. Additionally, just 28% of Americans say they want Biden to run for reelection in 2024, including only 48% of Democrats. A significant portion of these disapprovals stem from a growing sense that the Democrat party has failed to deliver and that the current administration lacks significant accomplishments. This article delves into the factors contributing to these approval ratings, focusing on policy failures, changing perceptions, and the role of social media.

The Legacy of Failure and Perceived Incompetence

One of the primary reasons for Biden's low approval ratings is the perception that the current administration lacks significant accomplishments, especially in both foreign and domestic policy. Critics argue that Biden has failed to live up to the expectations set by his campaign promises. For instance, the withdrawal from Afghanistan was widely criticized for being poorly executed, drawing comparisons with the fall of Saigon. Furthermore, initial actions like issuing a massive government stimulus package were too ambitious, leading to economic overheating and inflation.

The failure to pass major legislative initiatives, such as the Build Back Better bill, has also exacerbated the sense that the administration has failed to deliver. While some successes are acknowledged, they are often overshadowed and given less media attention. This pattern of focusing more on failures and less on successes can create a skewed perception of the administration's performance.

Changing Perceptions of Presidential Power

It is crucial to consider the evolving public perception of the role of the President. Many Americans now believe that everything that happens or doesn't happen is the result of the President, and that the President has unlimited powers to address issues. This belief, while not entirely accurate, can lead to greater criticism when things go wrong. This sentiment has been growing since the Obama administration and is not unique to Biden. It is further compounded by the fact that many Americans get their political news primarily through social media, which tends to present a biased and often negative perspective.

This phenomenon is evident in the way critics and supporters of both Trump and Biden perceive their presidencies. Trump's attempts to overturn the 2020 election results and his role in the January 6th insurrection have certainly affected how he is perceived, but so too has the growing belief that each president can do or undo anything if they choose.

The Role of Social Media in Shaping Perceptions

A significant factor in the changing public perception of the presidency is the role of social media in disseminating information. Memes and viral content often dominate social media feeds, and these tend to be relentlessly negative and often inaccurate. This means that even if an administration is doing well, the media narrative is likely to focus on failures and negative outcomes, leading to consistently low approval ratings.

Understanding the New Normal

Given these factors, it seems that the current level of public scrutiny and lack of approval may become the new normal. Future presidents will likely face perpetual low approval ratings due to the changing perceptions of their role and the pervasive negativity of social media. This could potentially lead to a shift from the two-term presidents being the norm to the one-term presidency becoming more common.

Conclusion

The low approval ratings for President Biden are multifaceted and involve a combination of policy failures, changing perceptions of the presidency, and the impact of social media. While the administration has achieved some successes, the perception that it has not done enough, coupled with the growing belief in unlimited presidential power, has led to a significant drop in approval. As the political landscape evolves, it is crucial for both the media and the public to consider these factors when evaluating the performance of the current and future administrations.