Quinnipiac University Poll (“Lowest Opinion Of Trump Among Voters In Seven Years, Quinnipiac University National Poll Finds; Biden Approval Rating Climbs“):
As former President Donald Trump seeks to return to the Oval Office, 31 percent of registered voters have a favorable opinion of him, while 59 percent have an unfavorable opinion of him, the lowest favorability rating he’s received among registered voters since July 2015, according to a Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pea-ack) University national poll released today.
Among Republican voters, 70 percent have a favorable opinion of Trump, while 20 percent have an unfavorable opinion of him. This is the lowest favorability rating among Republican voters in a Quinnipiac University poll since March 2016.
Among independent voters, 25 percent have a favorable opinion of Trump, while 62 percent have an unfavorable opinion of him. This is his lowest favorability rating among independent voters since Quinnipiac University first asked this question of registered voters in May 2015.
Seven in 10 registered voters (70 percent) say they would not like to see Donald Trump as the 2024 Republican nominee for president, while 25 percent say they would like to see him as the nominee. Among Republican voters, 56 percent say they would like to see Trump as the 2024 Republican nominee for president, while 38 percent say they would not like to see him as the nominee. The Quinnipiac University Poll does not have a trend for this question.
So, a mixed bag, really. On the one hand, with 59 percent disapproval among registered voters, one would think he’s unelectable. That’s good! On the other, with 70 percent approval among Republicans, he’s got a really good shot at being the party’s nominee—and thus one of only two people who have any chance at all of being President come noon on 20 January 2025. Granted, only 56 percent would like to see him as the nominee. Alas, at this early stage at least, I doubt anyone else is anywhere close to that.
Slightly more than half of registered voters (51 percent) say Trump should be disqualified from running for president again after he called to terminate the Constitution so that he can be reinstated as president, while 40 percent say he should not be disqualified.
I think he should be disqualified, and preferably imprisoned, for his role in inciting the Capitol riots and attempts to steal the 2020 election. I do not, however, think he should be disqualified for a stupid tweet. Voters should, of course, take his erratic state of mind into account.
Registered voters give President Joe Biden a negative 43 – 49 percent job approval rating. This compares to a negative 36 – 55 percent job approval rating in a Quinnipiac University poll on November 22, 2022. Today’s numbers are his highest marks among registered voters since September 2021.
Among adults, Biden receives a negative 40 – 50 percent job approval rating. This compares to a negative 36 – 54 percent job approval rating on November 22, 2022. Today’s numbers are his highest marks among adults since August of this year.
Registered voters were asked about Biden’s handling of…
- the response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine: 45 percent approve, while 46 percent disapprove;
- climate change: 41 percent approve, while 44 percent disapprove;
- foreign policy: 39 percent approve, while 52 percent disapprove;
- the economy: 39 percent approve, while 56 percent disapprove.
While Biden’s handling of the economy is underwater, it’s an improvement from a Quinnipiac University poll on November 22, 2022 when it was a negative 33 – 63 percent.
While I’ve been critical of Biden here and there, the breakdown numbers are just baffling to me. Aside from the occasional verbal miscue, he’s been just about flawless on Ukraine and, with a quibble here and there, a huge improvement over his predecessor on foreign policy. I honestly don’t know what it is that he is supposed to do about climate with rock-solid Republican opposition in the Senate. The economy, well, it is what it is and we blame Presidents for the state of affairs regardless of their policies.
As President Biden considers seeking reelection, 43 percent of registered voters have a favorable opinion of him, while 49 percent have an unfavorable opinion of him. His lowest score in a Quinnipiac University poll was in July 2022 when voters gave him a negative 37 – 57 percent favorability rating.
Among Democratic voters, 85 percent have a favorable opinion of Biden, while 8 percent have an unfavorable opinion of him.
His numbers among the general electorate aren’t what one might wish for but on par with others who went on to be re-elected. And his numbers with Democrats are way higher than I’d have predicted. The early frustrations with his inability to get bills through the Senate have clearly subsided after late successes in brokering deals with Joe Manchin. And, presumably, the better-than-expected midterm results bolstered his standing.
Alas:
Nearly two-thirds of registered voters (64 percent) say they would not like to see Joe Biden as the 2024 Democratic nominee for president, while 27 percent say they would like to see him as the nominee. Among Democratic voters, 48 percent say they would like to see Biden as the 2024 Democratic nominee for president, while 43 percent say they would not like to see him as the nominee. The Quinnipiac University Poll does not have a trend for this question.
The problem for Biden remains what it was during the 2020 campaign: he’s old and, barring tragedy, is getting older. He just hit his 80th birthday and will be just days shy of 82 on Election Day. He would be 86 at the end of a second term, which is just insanely old. Indeed, most people born in 1942 are already dead.
Of course, Trump is just under four years younger and is demonstrating rather clear signs of mental deterioration. So, if it’s a choice between Biden and Trump, the age issue should negate itself. Were Republicans to nominate a reasonably sane candidate not yet eligible for Social Security, though, they’ll have a leg up with Independents.
