Word clouds representing the reasons that those who approve (left) and disapprove (right) of President Biden’s job performance. Backing photo by Brian Bakst | MPR News.
by CRAIG HELMSTETTER and ERIC PLUTZER | Dec. 21, 2021
DOCUMENTATION
DETAILED REPORT
SURVEY TRANSPARENCY DISCLOSURE & METHODS
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The McCourtney Institute for Democracy at Penn State’s most recent Mood of the Nation Poll, conducted Nov. 30-Dec.7, 2021, finds that over half the American public disapproves of the job that Joe Biden is doing as president. Perhaps more importantly, the survey provides a window directly into the reasons behind the low approval ratings received by Mr. Biden less than a year into his presidency.
Job approval ratings
The poll’s findings—45% approving and 55% disapproving of President Biden’s job performance—are in line with other national polls conducted in late 2021. For example, FiveThirtyEight’s aggregation of national polls shows that on Dec. 3, the midpoint of this survey, 43% approved of President Biden, while 52% disapproved.
A majority of several groups of Americans disapprove of President Biden’s job performance. Most notable are the groups where a majority “strongly disapprove” including:
Those age 45 or older (52%),
White Americans (53%),
Republicans (84%).
Notably, two-thirds of those identifying as Independents disapprove of President Biden’s job performance, including 49% who do so “strongly.”
When taking into consideration the survey’s margin of error, the only groups with a majority approving of President Biden’s performance are Democrats and Black and Latino Americans.
Americans’ explanations for approving or disapproving of President Biden’s performance
To better understand the reasons that Americans approve or disapprove of the job Joe Biden is doing as president, respondents were asked a simple open-ended question:
“Polls find that millions of Americans, like you, say they [approve/disapprove] of President Biden. If you had to guess one or two reasons, why do you think they say that?”
Approvers
A majority of those who approve of President Biden pointed to his character, with frequent use of the phrase “he cares,” and words such as “integrity,” “honest,” “competent” and “compassion.” In addition, many explained their high regard for Biden by contrasting his character with that of former President Donald Trump. Reasons like these were offered by 6 in 10 Democrats and Independents who approve of Biden’s performance. For example:
“Because he is an honest genuine president who wants to serve the American people” – 43-year-old White woman from Michigan, Democrat.
“He is honest and upright. His presentation is meaningful and reassuring.” – 82-year-old Black man from Arizona, Democrat.
“He isn’t like Trump. He seems like a decent person.” – 43-year-old White man from Kansas, Independent.
About 1 in 6 approvers pointed to public policies championed by Biden including his general handling of the pandemic. For example:
“How he handled the COVID virus.” – 64-year-old White woman from Ohio, Republican.
“Infrastructure improvements and economic conditions.” – 74-year-old White man from New Hampshire, Democrat.
Notably only 4% of approvers mentioned President Biden’s current signature policies, the recently passed infrastructure bill or the currently stalled domestic policy bill. Only 5 respondents specifically referred to the “Build Back Better” plan using those terms, 3 who approve of President Biden’s job performance and 2 who disapprove.
Read several additional examples of respondents’ reasoning in their own words in the detailed report.
Disapprovers
Those who disapprove of Biden were more varied in their reasons. One in three Republicans who disapproved pointed to the overall state of the economy or specific features such as inflation. Some examples include:
“Inflation and liberal policies.” – 59-year-old White man from New York, Republican.
“He is promoting the ‘gimme’ syndrome. People are feeling entitled. The economy is headed in a bad way.” – 56-year-old White woman from Georgia, Republican.
“Economy is heading south.” – 40-year-old White woman from Illinois, Republican.
About 1 in 4 Republicans and Independents mentioned one or more instances where they believe Biden fell short in handling of the nation’s challenges. These include the U.S. exit from Afghanistan (mentioned by 6% of Republicans and 4% of independents), the pandemic, and Biden’s support for vaccine mandates. For example:
“How he handled Afghanistan. The rising cost of living. Crime being out of control.” – 73-year-old White woman from New Jersey, Republican
“Economy, inflation, COVID restrictions and vaccine mandates.” – 36-year-old Asian woman from California, Independent.
In addition, many disapprovers showed their dislike of President Biden by describing personal traits. Roughly 4 in 10 Republicans and Independents used terms like “incompetent,” “weak,” “corrupt” or made direct allusions to President Biden’s mental competence, referring to Biden’s alleged dementia or senility, or characterizing him as a “puppet” of other powerful actors:
“He lies and he’s weak.” – 57-year-old White man from West Virginia, Independent.
“That he is becoming senile and sadly is doing what the Democrats want. He is simply a puppet.” – 81-year-old White woman from California, Republican.
Special focus: Disapproval among Independents who voted for Biden in 2020
This poll includes 43 poll respondents who (a) identify as political Independents, (b) indicate that they voted for Biden in the November 2020 election but (c) now disapprove of Biden’s performance. This group is too small to analyze statistically, but their answers may illustrate the political challenges that Biden will face in 2022.
Among these disenchanted former Biden voters are several in swing states who are not only reacting to the economy, but also to Biden’s efforts to fight the pandemic. For example, a 46-year-old White woman from Ohio explained why people disapprove of Biden this way: “Vaccine mandates and he has shown himself to be just as greedy and useless as the Republicans.”
Also among the Independents who have soured on Biden: those from Blue states who explain that Biden has not been sufficiently progressive. One such 35-year-old Latino from New Hampshire stated, “Not progressive enough. Won't forgive student loans. Cowers to [Senators] Manchin and Sinema.”
Overall, the most common thread among the disaffected Independents is that Biden is disengaged: “not doing enough,” “not taking enough action,” “can’t seem to make decisions,” “hasn’t done anything,” “done nothing” and similar phrases can be found in most of the answers given by this potentially critical bloc.
Read several examples of respondents’ reasoning in their own words in the detailed report.
PARTNER FOR THIS SURVEY
The McCourtney Institute for Democracy at Penn State promotes scholarship and practical innovations that defend and advance democracy in the United States and abroad. Through teaching, research, and public outreach, the Institute leverages the resources of Penn State and partners around the world to foster a model of deliberation, policymaking, and responsiveness that is passionate, informed, and civil.
The Institute’s Mood of the Nation poll offers a unique approach to public opinion polling. It allows Americans to speak in their own words through open-ended questions that focus on emotions like anger and hope, as well as commitment to constitutional principles.