A new poll shows on the issues that will define the midterms – inflation, gas prices, the economy, and crime – Republicans hold a significant advantage over Democrats, but a wide swathe of Americans think neither party would do a good job.
The August Ipsos poll shows voters favor Republicans over Democrats to handle the economy by nine points and inflation by ten points. Americans favor Republicans over Democrats to handle the economy by a margin of 34% to 25%, and Republicans over Democrats to handle inflation by a margin of 33% to 23%.
“Voters favor Republicans over Democrats to handle the economy by nine points and inflation by ten.”
Voters also think Republicans would do a better job than Democrats on gas prices (33% to 24%), taxes (31% to 25%), crime (32% to 21%) and immigration (37% to 28%).
Out of eleven different issues, the GOP is seen by voters as better than the Democratic party at handling all but four where the Democratic Party has the advantage: abortion (38% to 26%), climate change (37% to 19%), the coronavirus (36% to 20%), and gun violence (34% to 29%).
“Out of eleven different issues, the GOP is seen by voters as better than the Democratic party at handling all but four.”
On all other issues, including immigration, crime, the Russia-Ukraine situation, and all economic-related issues, the GOP is seen as better positioned.
However, roughly a third of Americans believe neither party is positioned to handle the issues. On gas prices, a full 37% of Americans think neither party is equipped to handle the situation, while 33% say the GOP is positioned to handle it and 24% say Democrats are.
“A full 37% of Americans think neither party is equipped to handle skyrocketing gas prices.”
Thirty-six percent of Americans believe neither party is equipped to bring down inflation, while 33% say the GOP would be better positioned to do so and 23% say the Democratic Party would be.
Thirty-six percent of Americans also believe neither party is equipped to handle the Russia-Ukraine situation, although the GOP gets a slight edge over the Democratic Party.
The poll also found that a majority of Americans disapprove of the job Biden is doing on every single issue in the survey except the response to the coronavirus, and Americans give Biden particularly bad ratings on the economy. Just 29% approve of Biden’s handling of inflation, and 37% approve of his economic recovery efforts. However, 66% of Independents disapprove of Biden’s response to the economy and 73% disapprove of his response to inflation.
The same survey shows almost 70% of Americans say the economy is getting worse, including nearly half of Democrats, and a majority of Republicans and Independents.
Americans are suffering economically, and disillusionment with those in charge is reaching a boiling point. While this could mean more voters sitting out the election this fall, it could also mean a tide turning in favor of political outsiders who are willing to put people first and focus on fixing the economy.
