Biden looks to bounce back from brutal August

President BidenJoe BidenPoll: Voters divided over whether they think Biden was trying to score political points with Afghanistan pullout Kansas approves use of M in federal funds to increase nurses’ wages CONTINUED seeks to step back and recover the narrative surrounding his presidency after a brutal August that saw his approval rating plummet amid the chaotic fall of the US-backed government in Afghanistan and the rise of COVID-19 cases in his country.

The White House has long viewed the coronavirus pandemic as the key issue for Biden’s presidency, and Biden’s return effort centers on the public’s belief that the president is providing strong leadership on the issue.

In Biden’s first months of presidency, his team believed voters had confidence in the president’s leadership on the issue, but the decline in polls and the staggering pandemic raised questions about whether the confidence audience vacillates.

Biden gave a spiky speech Thursday in which he blamed the spread of the COVID-19 virus on the unvaccinated while announcing measures that require federal workers to be vaccinated.

Remarks about the pandemic have been a pivotal point for Biden, who had previously avoided embracing mandates and adopted a much more berated tone towards unvaccinated Americans.

“We have been patient,” Biden said. “But our patience is running out and your refusal has cost us all.”

Democrats recognize that the next few months are critical for Biden, who, along with Democrats, is already eyeing 2022, when the House and Senate majorities now held by the party stand to be won in the midterm elections.

Biden also faces a pivotal moment in his national agenda as Democrats try to strike a deal on a $ 3.5 trillion spending package that would reshape much of the social safety net. Biden’s legacy is likely at stake when it comes to the success of the legislation.

An NPR-PBS Newshour-Marist poll conducted last week showed Biden had a 43% approval rating. More importantly, the survey showed it fell to 36% of support for independents, a drop of 10 points from July. A Washington Post-ABC News poll subsequently showed Biden had a 36% approval rating among independents, with 57% saying they disapproved of Biden.

“I think this is the first time in the Presidency where President Biden’s numbers are underwater and there is more doubt than at any other time,” Democratic strategist Joel Payne said. “It’s important not to let these moments take hold.

“There is definitely a willingness to turn the page and reset the narrative quickly,” he added.

White House Biden is betting a majority of Americans will agree with him that the unvaccinated is holding the nation back when it comes to recovering from the pandemic.

He also hopes to link GOP opponents with those who refuse to be vaccinated.

The stakes are high for Biden.

Republicans in August saw a plummeting administration and their chances of winning the GOP majority in Congress at an all-time high for the year.

Some Democrats also blame Biden for losing control of the political debate as the administration was hammered on over Afghanistan. Biden has also been criticized by some for giving Thursday’s speech too late.

“Whether caught up in the withdrawal from Afghanistan or surprised by the spread of the delta variant, Biden’s voice has been heard in second place, after detractors and potential opponents of 2024, including the former president” , said Basil Smikle, the former executive director of the New York State Democratic. Party. Smikle referred to the former president Donald trumpDonald Trump To Infinity and Beyond: What Will It Take to Create a Diverse and Representative Justice System? Biden looks to bounce back from brutal August Mary Trump denounces her uncle’s plans to comment on 9/11 anniversary boxing match: ‘Shameful’ MORE, who has tried to gain more attention in recent weeks with regular statements blowing up Biden.

Smikle said Biden’s “more aggressive tone” on vaccinations Thursday showed control over the federal bureaucracy and a willingness to use the chair of intimidation to bring the virus under control.

“It is essential for him to show strength and authority at this point with K-12 students and students nervously returning to in-person learning, the SCOTUS decision on deportation moratoria and sports arenas reaching their full capacity, ”said Smikle. “He can’t seem to be distracted again. This is not good for the overall engagement on the pandemic, but politically has ramifications for the midterms. “

The Supreme Court recently ruled against Biden’s actions to uphold the ban on evictions.

The coming weeks will prove to be the ultimate test for Biden, historians say, and whether he can lead from a position of strength.

“This is an important moment,” said Julian Zelizer, professor of history and public affairs at Princeton University.

Zelizer singled out the former president Jimmy carterJimmy Carter – How will Biden’s Afghanistan debacle impact NASA’s Artemis return to the moon? What Joe Biden Should Have Learned From Jimmy Carter Everyone Has An Opinion on Afghanistan – Do Voters Care? FOLLOWING, which faced a series of crises from 1979 with the oil crisis, a sluggish economy, the invasion of Afghanistan by the Soviet Union and the hostage crisis in Iran. Carter’s perceived manipulation gave his then-opponent Ronald Reagan easy talking points against him and led to a blowout in the 1980 presidential race.

He said that for Carter, perception has come true.

“Carter worked hard on all of this, often being more effective behind the scenes than people realized, such as advancing negotiations to free the hostages in Iran,” Zelizer said.

“But the perception that he had lost control, that he was struggling to find answers, that he had no plan, all of this played into Reagan’s attacks that he was incompetent and a failed leader. Zelizer added.

“Americans don’t like it when presidents seem overwhelmed by the crises they are facing, even if some of what is happening is beyond their control,” he added.