Staff Reports
In the latest wave of bad news for President Joe Biden, multiple polls have revealed his plummeting approval ratings among voters. Notably, an ABC News/Washington Post poll showed that 64 percent of voters disapprove of Biden’s handling of the economy, and he trailed 10 points behind former President Trump in a hypothetical general election match-up. Additionally, an NBC News poll indicated double-digit deficits for Biden among key Democratic voting blocs, with a 72 percent disapproval rating on the economy.
Just 31% of Americans have a favorable view of Kamala Harris — even lower than Biden.
Jim Clyburn says it's because she is a "woman of color and first woman to be vice president," but insists "she has the capacity and capability to be president." pic.twitter.com/G6WF9jnc33
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) September 24, 2023
Amidst these troubles, Vice President Kamala Harris also received poor ratings. NBC News reported that Harris had a net favorability rating of 31% positive and 51% negative, worse than both Biden and Trump. These numbers have raised concerns for the Biden-Harris re-election campaign.
During an appearance on “Meet the Press,” Democratic Congressman James Clyburn addressed Harris’ numbers and speculated on the reasons behind her unpopularity. He emphasized her historic role as the first woman of color to hold the position of vice president and suggested that this played a significant part in the public’s perception. However, Clyburn also delivered a warning to Biden, expressing doubt in the willingness of prominent Democrats to endorse Harris as his running mate again. This raised questions about her ability to lead the country if Biden were to step down.
As a conservative Republican news writer, it is clear that Harris’ lackluster performance and favorability ratings highlight the flaws of identity politics. Choosing a candidate based solely on their physical characteristics rather than their qualifications can have detrimental consequences. Despite her negative impact on Biden’s struggling campaign, it seems unlikely that Harris will be removed from the ticket due to the influence of Clyburn and the Democrats’ fear of alienating black voters. This presents an opportunity for the GOP to critique Biden’s reliance on identity politics in future elections.
