LUNCHTIME POLITICS: Attitudes on Afghanistan – Biden on the Issues

Your Daily Polling Update for Wednesday, August 25, 2021

BIDEN JOB APPROVAL: AVERAGE 45%
Down 2 from Monday

RON’S COMMENT: Two weeks ago, Biden’s average job rating was 50% approve/47% disapprove. Now it’s 45% approve/51% disapprove…. Today’s average is based on four polls, ranging from 41% (USA Today) to 49% (The Hill). Biden’s disapproval rating averages 51% today (same as Monday).

BIDEN ON THE ISSUES
Among voters nationwide

[Do you approve or disapprove] of President Biden’s handling of: 
 
The withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan 
Approve: 26%
Disapprove: 62%
 
RON’S COMMENT: This result is close to the recent NBC poll that had Biden’s approval rating on handling the Afghan pullout at 25%…. Biden’s approval rating on handling the Afghan pullout is 6% among Republicans, 55% among Democrats and 18% among independents. 
 
The COVID-19 pandemic 
Approve: 50%
Disapprove: 45%
 
RON’S COMMENT: Biden’s approval rating on the pandemic is 10% among Republicans, 94% among Democrats and 44% among independents.
 
The economy 
Approve: 39%
Disapprove: 53%
 
RON’S COMMENT: Biden’s approval rating on the economy is 7% among Republicans, 83% among Democrats and 28% among independents. These numbers are not good for Biden.
 
Immigration
Approve: 25%
Disapprove: 62%
 
RON’S COMMENT: Biden’s approval rating on immigration is 4% among Republicans, 53% among Democrats and 18% among independents. These immigration poll numbers are surprisingly bad for Biden.

AFGHANISTAN
Among voters nationwide

First off, how important is the issue of Afghanistan to you? Would you say it is….
 
Very/somewhat important: 81%
Not very/not at all important: 16%

The United States is withdrawing its troops from Afghanistan. Do you support or oppose the withdrawal of all U.S. troops from Afghanistan? 
 
Support: 53%
Oppose: 38%
 
Should the United States admit – with special refugee status – Afghans who worked as translators for the U.S. military and their immediate family members – yes or no? 
 
Yes: 84%
No: 10%
 
Should the United States recognize the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan – yes or no? 
 
Yes: 15%
No: 71%
 
Now that the Taliban has taken over Afghanistan, do you believe Afghanistan will become a haven for terrorists targeting the United States? 
 
Yes: 73%
No: 14%
 
Was the war in Afghanistan worth it––yes or no?
 
Yes, worth it: 28%
Not worth it: 60%
 
[Asked of those who said the war wasn’t worth it] Given that you feel the war in Afghanistan wasn’t worth it, which president do you hold MOST responsible for that? Would you say George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, or Joe Biden? 
 
George W. Bush: 62%
Barack Obama: 15%
Joe Biden: 7%
Donald Trump: 4%
All of them: 6%
None of them: 1%

RON’S COMMENT: 82% of Democrats, 39% of Republicans and 63% of independents hold Bush 43 mostly responsible.

FAVORABILITY RATINGS
Among voters nationwide

Favorability ratings:

% = Favorable/Unfavorable 
Democratic Party: 33%/56%
Republican Party: 37%/49%
Joe Biden: 41%/56%
Kamala Harris: 35%/54%

RON’S COMMENT: Most polls had been showing the Democratic Party doing better than the Republican Party, but this new USA Today poll shows it’s now reversed. The survey also finds both Biden and Harris are under water in their personal ratings. Their negatives are higher than they’ve ever been.

SOURCES
Presidential job rating average based on recent nationwide polls.
AFGHANISTAN, BIDEN ON THE ISSUES, FAVORABILITY RATINGS: USA Today/Suffolk Univ., Aug. 19-23

Publication schedule: Lunchtime Politics publishes when important new polling data is available, usually at least once a week. When we get closer to the next round of elections, we will resume daily publication. Thanks to all our readers and best of health, Ron

Follow here to get the latest updates on the Lunchtime Politics.

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*