- Most Americans see Biden as “valuing hard work” and trying “to do what is best for the country.”
- A growing share say the “worst is over” in the pandemic as support remains high for vaccine mandates.
- Democrats win the argument on masks and vaccines against Republican criticisms around freedom by double-digit margins.
Biden’s Approval Remains Underwater Overall and on the Economy, But Breaks Even on Handling the Pandemic
Biden’s overall job approval numbers have declined by 3 points (46% to 43%) since last asked in late January.
Pandemic-Related Issues Remain Strong Suits for Biden and Democrats Over the Republican Party
Independents trust Biden and the Democratic Party more by double digits on both vaccinations (+27) and combating the pandemic overall (+14).
Coronavirus and the Recent Jobs Report Top the Positive Conversation Around Biden This Week
Since last asked in late January, there has been a 6-point decrease in the share who report hearing “mostly negative” things about Biden (from 40% to 34%).
Fewer See Biden and Congress Focused on Economy While the Economy and Pandemic Continue to Be Top Priorities
Majorities say “jobs and the economy” (52%) and the pandemic (46%) are top priorities for Biden and Congress, and while Americans say they are focused on the pandemic (55%), fewer see Biden and Congress focused on jobs and the economy (33%).
Biden Gets Positive Marks on Hard Work, Doing What’s Best for the Country
Nearly one in six (16%) disapprove of Biden overall but say at least one of the positive descriptors below describes him “very” or “somewhat well.” Demographics especially likely to be in this group are independents (24%) and 18-34 year-olds (25%).
Major Downtick in the Share Who Say “Worst Is Yet to Come” in the Pandemic
Since just two weeks ago, the share saying “the worst is over” increased 11 points among both Republicans and independents, and 8 points among Democrats.
- On a separate question, there has been a 4-point decline in the share who say the pandemic is a “major crisis” (from 46% to 42%).
Majorities Continue to Support Vaccine Mandates
Among independents, nearly half (48%) support vaccine mandates.
Americans Agree More With Democrats Who Criticize Republicans for Ignoring Pandemic Science
Whether the progressive response focuses on Republicans ignoring science or Republicans taking away the freedom of vaccinated Americans, each progressive lane is more effective by double digits than a Republican critique.
Majority of Americans Oppose Pardoning January 6th Rioters
More than three in five independents (63%) oppose pardoning the January 6th rioters, as do more than one in three Republicans (35%).
About The Study
This release features findings from national online surveys of 1,000 registered voters conducted February 3-7, 2022. Additional interviews were conducted among 101 Hispanic voters, 99 African American voters, 100 independents without a partisan lean, and 78 Asian American and Pacific Islander voters.