Joe Biden marked his 81st birthday on Monday amidst challenging poll numbers, with recent surveys indicating struggles against his likely opponent, Donald Trump, who, at 77, appears to face fewer concerns about his age.
According to the November US Election Watch Report by Morning Consult, Trump is gaining traction among key voter segments, including Black, Hispanic, and young Americans. The report notes that Trump has narrowed the gap with Biden throughout 2023, particularly in these demographic groups.
NBC reported on Sunday that Biden’s approval rating hit its lowest point at 40%, with a poll suggesting Biden trailing Trump for the first time in a hypothetical general-election match-up. The deficit, however, falls within the margin of error for an election over 11 months away.
Despite Trump’s legal challenges, including 91 criminal charges, and controversial statements, many Americans continue to express concerns about Biden’s age, impacting his approval ratings. Biden’s handling of economic conditions and foreign policy decisions, especially regarding Israel’s conflict with Hamas, has also contributed to his declining popularity.
Democratic pollster Jeff Horwitt attributed part of Biden’s decline to how Americans perceive his foreign policy actions. Republican Bill McInturff described the poll as a “stunner” and linked it to the impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on Biden’s standing.
While acknowledging Biden’s current challenges, Democratic strategist Simon Rosenberg remains optimistic about winning the presidential election next year. He highlighted Republican party troubles, including controversial policy choices and attempts to overturn the election.
As Biden faces criticism, his campaign and surrogates express confidence, citing historical instances where trailing candidates, like Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton, went on to secure re-election.
