Only Jimmy Carter was more unpopular than Biden a year before re-election

That's what an analysis of previous polls by CNN found. The current president is emerging as the overwhelming favorite for the Democratic nomination.

Joe Biden-Jimmy Carter/Wikimedia Commons

Published by

Joaquín Núñez

7 de septiembre, 2023

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Joe Biden is running for a second term in 2024. After some delays, the president made his intentions official in April to take Kamala Harris back as his running mate. However, President Biden has not had a positive approval rating since 2021, just before the withdrawal from Afghanistan. Indeed, from 1955 to date, only one commander-in-chief was more unpopular than Biden a year before the election.

According to CNN, Biden has a 39% approval. From a historical perspective, these are the worst numbers for a president who sought a second term, according to polls conducted by the media outlet founded by Ted Turner.

To combat his low approval, Biden is highlighting the country's economic performance since taking office and launching ads in key states such as Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. His campaign recently spent $25 million to improve his image among Hispanics and voters of color.

"This historic purchase ensures that the president's message reaches every American where they receive their news, and sends a clear signal that we are investing in an aggressive, meaningful and effective paid media strategy. As Republicans clash in Milwaukee over his divisive and unpopular agenda, President Biden is amplifying his winning message and leadership as president for all Americans," said Julie Chavez Rodriguez, the president's re-election campaign manager.

At this point, only Jimmy Carter had a lower approval rating, 32 percent. The former Georgia governor suffered a hefty defeat in 1980 at the hands of Ronald Reagan, who had a little more than a nine percentage point lead in the popular vote and won the Electoral College by 489 to 49.

Of the last 10 presidents who sought another term in the White House, five were successful (Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Richard Nixon), four were defeated (Donald Trump, George H.W. Bush, Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford) while one chose not to compete (Lyndon Johnson).