Title: Examining the Relationship Between Economic Conditions and Approval Ratings for President Biden
Partisan loyalties have long influenced Americans’ views of the economy, but a closer look reveals that the relationship between economic conditions and approval ratings for President Biden is more complex than meets the eye.
While Democrats’ view of the US economy has soared higher than Republicans’ since mid-2022, Biden’s approval ratings remain low at around 39 percent nationally. Some argue that partisan attitudes are holding him back from receiving the credit he deserves for America’s solid economy, but there are several flaws in this narrative.
Consumer sentiment scores, often used as a gauge of economic well-being, may not accurately reflect households’ day-to-day experiences. Surveys suggest that the cost of living is a key factor in evaluating the economy, and many households are currently facing higher price levels than when Biden took office.
To address these flaws, the Misery Index, which combines inflation and unemployment rates, can provide a more explicit indicator of economic sentiment. By analyzing state-level data, a clearer picture emerges: states with higher economic distress tend to have lower approval ratings for Biden, offering some non-partisan justification for their sentiment.
However, there are exceptions to this trend. Some states with relatively more miserable economic conditions still have high approval ratings for Biden, highlighting the complexity of the relationship between economic factors and political approval.
Ultimately, the narrative that Biden’s low approval ratings are solely due to partisanship is oversimplified. While party affiliation plays a role, local economic conditions and individual experiences also shape public opinion. As the US is a diverse and vast country with varying inequalities, a nuanced understanding of the relationship between economic conditions and approval ratings is essential.