Biden Underwater as Afghanistan, Coronavirus Chip Away at President’s Popularity – By Susan Milligan (US News) / Sept 3 2021
The erosion in his polling numbers corresponds with the 60% of respondents who said they disapproved of how Biden has handled the situation in Afghanistan.
It’s been a rough few weeks for President Joe Biden, and it’s starting to show up in his approval ratings, with a new poll showing a majority of the country is unhappy with the job Biden is doing.
The Washington Post-ABC survey, taken as Biden was under the height of criticism for the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, shows that 51% of Americans disapprove of his job performance compared to 44% who approve. That marks the first time in the news agencies’ poll that the president is “underwater” – meaning a higher percentage have negative views of him than positive views.
Presidential approval ratings typically drop a bit and settle after the commander in chief has been in the job for a few months, but Biden’s numbers have tumbled far and fast. In late June, the Washington Post-ABC poll showed the president riding high, with 50% approving of his performance, and 42% disapproving.
While the survey – which held back some results for later release – did not ask respondents why they had soured on the president, it was clear the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan was a major factor.
