Low poll numbers don’t deter White House from pushing Bidenomics agenda

President Joe Biden toured a revitalized shipyard in Philadelphia on Thursday, using the opportunity to promote his strong belief that his agenda is driving a robust US economy, which he sees as a key factor for his 2024 reelection campaign.

Addressing a crowd of union workers wearing hardhats, Biden stated, “Together, we are not only creating jobs and revitalizing manufacturing, but also rebuilding our infrastructure. I have already announced 35,000 projects in 4,500 communities across the nation, proving that we are capable of accomplishing great things. Right here in Philly, you will be constructing tunnels worth $1 billion!” His statement was met with cheers and applause.

However, despite the orchestrated excitement and carefully planned show in Philadelphia, there exists a contrasting sentiment among voters regarding what is commonly referred to as “Bidenomics.”

The CNBC All-America Economic Survey, released on Thursday, revealed that only 37% of respondents approve of Biden’s handling of the economy, while 58% disapprove. Moreover, a staggering 79% of Americans believe that the state of the economy is fair or poor, with only 20% rating it as excellent or good.

A recent survey conducted by Monmouth University further confirms the public’s view. According to the survey, Biden received negative approval ratings for his handling of three key aspects of the economy: jobs and unemployment, transportation and energy infrastructure, and inflation.

Patrick Murray, director of the independent Monmouth University Polling Institute, stated, “The president has been promoting ‘Bidenomics,’ but public opinion has remained largely unaffected. Americans are not giving him much credit for the state of the economy.”

However, it is important to note that Biden has been actively seeking to change this perception. His visit to the shipyard in Philadelphia was the culmination of a month-long “Investing in America Blitz” aimed at highlighting the success of Bidenomics.

Since mid-June, members of Biden’s Cabinet have been traveling across the country to draw attention to the new projects and job opportunities created by the Democrats’ infrastructure and climate change bills for the year 2022.

Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, for instance, embarked on a road trip through North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee, showcasing various clean energy initiatives. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra highlighted the Biden administration’s efforts to control healthcare costs during his visits to Ohio, Michigan, and New York. In total, more than 20 states were visited by a dozen high-ranking officials, including the president and first lady Jill Biden.

Despite this, the negative sentiment among Americans concerning the economy and Biden’s management of it is surprising, especially considering recent data that indicates a strong recovery from the unprecedented impact of the pandemic. Inflation rates are decreasing, the employment rate remains stable, and wages have risen.

The Citigroup Economic Surprise Index, which measures the variance between economic indicators and pre-established expectations, indicates that the economy is performing better than experts predicted. As of Wednesday, the index reached its highest point in two years, with nearly two-thirds of economic data surpassing expectations.

It is possible that Americans are as surprised as the experts by the positive economic developments, which could explain why many voters have yet to fully grasp the benefits of Bidenomics.

In light of this, Biden’s purpose in Philadelphia becomes clearer. “I am not here to declare victory. We still have a long way to go in terms of the economy,” Biden announced to the shipbuilders. “I am here to emphasize that there is more work to be done, but we have a plan that is rapidly turning things around.”