A new Morning Consult/Politico poll released on Wednesday found that Biden’s approval reached its highest point in months, with 43 percent of voters approving of his job performance—a six-point increase from last month’s record low of 37 percent. Biden also saw the same percentage increase among independent voters.
While the latest survey marks the highest rating Biden has received since May, a majority of voters, 55 percent, still disapprove of his job performance.
Yet, because the president’s standing is historically significant to whether his party can hold onto congressional majorities, Biden’s rebound is welcome news for the Democratic Party, which is seeking to hold slim majorities in the House and Senate.
At the same time—11 weeks from Election Day—the Republican outlook has grown increasingly uncertain.
The GOP had been poised to flip both chambers of Congress this year thanks to a historical trend that favors the minority party in midterm races and skyrocketing inflation that has left most voters troubled about the economy.
But recent events, including the overturning of Roe v. Wade, falling gas prices and a number of policy wins for the Democrats, have caused even Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell to alter his outlook.
Despite being “very optimistic” about the midterm elections less than a year ago in November of 2021, in recent weeks, McConnell has said there would be a “greater likelihood” the House would flip Republican than the Senate, while his chamber has a “50-50” chance.
Wednesday’s poll also shows the Democratic Party with its widest generic ballot advantage since last October, with 47 percent of voters saying they’re more likely to vote for a Democratic congressional candidate this November. Forty-two percent said they would be more likely to vote Republican.
Although Biden’s approval rating comes after a massive partisan win with the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, the survey suggests that fewer Americans know about the president’s signing of the legislation and more about the recent events surrounding former President Donald Trump.
Nearly 60 percent of voters said they had seen, read or heard “a lot” about the FBI’s search of Mar-a-Lago, while only 36 percent said the same about the health and climate bill.
Trump has hinted at a 2024 run amid the Department of Justice’s investigation, but 57 percent of voters said they didn’t believe he should run again and only 38 percent said they think he should seek a second term.
