President Joe Biden’s approval rating has struck a new low, with a recent Washington Post-ABC News poll revealing that the majority of Americans do not believe that he is mentally or physically fit to serve for a second term. The survey found that over sixty percent of voters do not consider Biden to possess the “mental sharpness” necessary to lead the country efficiently, while about the same amount don’t believe he is in “good enough physical health” to do so. With this alarming rejection, many worry about the future of the nation under his possible continued leadership.
President Joe Biden, at 80 years old, is the oldest president in United States history and newly released polling data indicates that a majority of Americans believe he is not mentally or physically fit for a second term in office. A new Washington Post-ABC News poll reveals that 63% of voters do not believe Biden has the “mental sharpness it takes to serve effectively as president,” while only 32% believe he does, and 5% have no opinion.
Similarly, the poll indicates that 62% of Americans do not think Biden is in “good enough physical health to serve effectively as president,” while only 33% disagree. Perhaps most concerning is that 21% of Democrats even believe that the president lacks the mental fortitude necessary for another term in office.
Despite these unsettling figures, Biden announced his plan to seek reelection less than two weeks ago. If elected to a second term, he would become 86 years old by the time he leaves office in January 2029. Even prominent members of his own party are expressing doubts surrounding his age and ability to govern. In October, Michigan Democratic Rep. Elissa Slotkin called for a “new generation” of leadership in the party, indicating that Biden’s elderly status was becoming a liability.
In addition to concerns over Biden’s age and health, the polling data shows a sharp dip in his overall job approval rating. A low of 36% of voters approve of the job he is doing, while 56% disapprove.
In February of this year, Biden’s approval rating was 42%. The data surrounding his support within his own party is also concerning, with a group constituting 58% of Democratic-leaning adults desiring a different nominee than Biden. Even more troubling is that 77% of independents who lean Democratic wish for an alternative to Biden.
Further diminishing the president’s popularity with younger Americans, his approval rating among individuals under the age of 30 is a dismal 26%. This is particularly concerning since Biden received approximately 60% of the vote for Americans under 30 in the 2020 election, according to Pew Research.
These polling results provide a clear indication of the American people’s opinions regarding Biden’s age, health, and job performance. These figures also suggest that Biden’s age is becoming a liability for his political party, and that he may not be the best candidate to represent their values and interests in future elections.
With the presidential race starting to heat up, the survey’s results have undoubtedly sent shockwaves through the Democratic Party. It would be unsurprising if more Democrat members start to openly advocate for a “new generation” of leadership. Even among Democrats, the survey indicates an increasing disapproval of Biden’s leadership and calls for the emergence of new leadership. With an approval rating sinking to a new low and dissatisfaction among his own party members, the road ahead seems rocky for those on the other side of the aisle in the upcoming elections. The outcomes of the poll, to a considerable extent, paint a grim picture for Biden and his party, and one that demands critical introspection on the candidate’s capabilities and fitness for a second term as leader of the free world.
