OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
A new Gallup poll spells more bad news for President Joe Biden’s reelection as campaign and White House officials struggle to reverse his tanking approval rating.
“Americans are less likely now than they were in 2020 to believe several positive personal qualities and characteristics apply to President Joe Biden,” the polling firm noted on Monday, tweeting out the poll’s key findings.
“The biggest decline has come in the percentage believing Biden can manage the government effectively, but his scores are down at least six percentage points on each characteristic,” the pollster added.
Gallup conducted polls on both Biden and Trump regarding the following characteristics: “Can manage the government effectively,” “Is likable,” “Displays good judgment in a crisis,” “Is a strong and decisive leader,” “Cares about the needs of people like you,” and “Is honest and trustworthy.” Although Biden experienced a decrease of 13 to 6 points in each category, he still outpaced Trump in three out of the six areas. Biden scored higher in “Is likable” (57% compared to 37% for Trump), “Cares about the needs of people like you” (48% compared to 42% for Trump), and “Is honest and trustworthy” (46% compared to 35% for Trump).
Americans are less likely now than they were in 2020 to believe a number of positive personal qualities and characteristics apply to President Joe Biden.
The biggest decline has come in the percentage believing Biden is able to manage government effectively, but his scores are… pic.twitter.com/CFSaTfcskc
— GallupNews (@GallupNews) April 8, 2024
Biden did trail Trump in three categories: “Can manage the government effectively” (39/49%), “Displays good judgment in a crisis” (40/45%), and “Is a strong and decisive leader” (38/57%).
“These changes are consistent with the 2020 to 2024 movement in the candidates’ overall favorable ratings. Biden’s most recent favorable rating, 41%, is down eight points from the end of the 2020 campaign, while Trump’s 42% is statistically similar to the 45% 2020 reading,” noted Gallup’s summary of the poll, adding that the survey trends follows the general perceptions of Biden’s time in office.
Meanwhile, Trump is attempting to turn up the heat on Biden, agitating for a debate.
Trump said over the weekend he’s prepared to do that “anytime, anyplace” ahead of the November presidential election, saying it would be “for the good of the country.”
“You can see we have an empty podium right here to my right. You know what that is? That’s for Joe Biden,” Trump said during a campaign rally in Wisconsin, where he had an empty mic stand next to his podium, symbolic of his eagerness to debate the current president.
“I’m trying to get him to debate,” he added. “I’m calling on ‘Crooked Joe’ to debate anytime, anyplace. We’ll do it any way you want, Joe.”
The mic stand was adorned with a black placard that read, “Anytime. Anywhere. Anyplace.”
“Let’s go have a good, solid, friendly debate,” Trump said.
Biden campaign spokesman Michael Tyler called the stunt a “weak merch play from a guy desperate to avoid talking about how he’s got no cash, no campaign infrastructure, and no answer for how his chaotic, divisive, and violent campaign is going to win this November.”
“Trump said last fall only people who are losing want debates,” Tyler added. “At least we agree on something.”
Biden stated last month that he might not participate in a debate with Trump before their expected rematch in the election.
“It depends on his behavior,” Biden said.
Trump echoed a similar tune late last month.
During an interview with Dan Bongino for his radio show, Trump said that he did not think Biden would remain in the race but called on him to debate “immediately.”
“And I don’t think he’s going to run. I don’t know if it’s donors or otherwise. It might be his family. It might be something,” Trump said. “I don’t think he’s gonna run, but I’d like to call for, immediately, debates. I’d like to debate him now because we should debate. We should debate for the good of the country. So I will officially go on your show call.”
