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Title: American Perceptions: U.S. Progress Under Biden Assessed, Revealing Surprising Consensus in Three Areas
A Gallup survey reveals that most Americans believe the United States fell short on several crucial matters, including education, race relations, energy, and immigration, during President Joe Biden's four-year tenure. However, a majority also felt stagnant in two areas and made progress in one: LGBTQ rights.
Key Facts
The Gallup survey, released on January 3, 2023, questioned more than 500 adults nationwide about the nation's progress on 18 significant issues since Biden took office in 2021.
The U.S. is perceived to have fallen behind on various categories, with more than half stating the nation "lost ground" in debt management, immigration, wealth distribution, the economy, the nation's global standing, and crime. Americans were more likely to report "lost ground" than "stood still" or "made progress" in several other areas, including taxes, education, terrorism, trade relations, national defense, healthcare, race relations, infrastructure, and energy.
More individuals considered the country stagnant in climate change and Black issues, with 44% and 40% feeling it remained the same, respectively. The survey revealed that the U.S. made progress only in one domain: LGBTQ rights, where 39% believed progress had been made, while 31% considered the nation stationary and 23% believed it had regressed.
Demographic Differences
Democrats, including left-leaning independents, held more favorable views of progress during Biden's tenure, even though they also acknowledged regression in specific areas, such as the federal debt and wealth gap.
Gallup Poll Context
The recent Gallup survey marks another setback for the outgoing Biden administration following a string of negative poll results. The latest Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research survey found that only 25% of U.S. adults consider Biden a "good" or "great" president, a significant drop since the end of Trump's first term or Obama's second. Last week's Gallup poll showed that 54% of U.S. adults think Biden will be remembered as a "below average president," analogous to President Richard Nixon's post-Watergate sentiment.
What To Watch For
Previous presidents who left office with negative assessment ratings, including Trump, Bush, and Carter, experienced improved public perceptions of their terms over time.
The business sector might see opportunities in addressing the perceived stagnancy or regression in certain areas, such as debt management, wealth distribution, and economic growth. The U.S. business community could play a crucial role in advancing LGBTQ rights, as the survey indicates progress in this domain.