Most Americans See America in Crisis, But Reasons Vary by Party
Wednesday, July 7, 2021President Biden and Democrats are more trusted than Republicans to address the pandemic, improve infrastructure, and rebuild the economy.
Our research below provides messaging guidance for progressives to win key policy debates.
President Biden and Democrats are more trusted than Republicans to address the pandemic, improve infrastructure, and rebuild the economy.
Focus groups with soft partisans reveal optimism on economy and the pandemic, but concerns about deep political and societal divides.
Majorities of Americans approve of Biden’s job handling and agenda, including his pandemic response, the American Rescue Plan, and the American Jobs Plan.
More Americans credit Biden with recent job creation as he and Democrats are seen more as looking out for the middle and working class; Republicans are seen as favoring the wealthy and corporations.
The conversation about funding infrastructure moves Americans toward support for raising corporate income tax rates.
Biden and the Democratic Party are more trusted to rebuild the economy, and a growing share say it is “getting better.”
Approval ratings of President Biden have remained in net positive territory as support for the American Rescue Plan remains consistently broad.
Most Americans say the Rescue Plan is having a positive impact on them as economic indicators are beginning to improve.
Stimulus checks, middle class benefits, tax credits, and economic growth in news headlines about ARP are seen as having a positive impact on “people like you.”
Though awareness about the American Rescue Plan was low among these participants, more information moved them towards supporting it, with many responding to provisions beyond the $1,400 stimulus checks.
For the first time since the beginning of the pandemic, majorities of Americans believe “the worst is over” with the pandemic and have confidence in their personal financial situation.
While each component of the American Rescue Plan is seen as important by wide majorities, checks and vaccine distribution funding are seen as most important.
Seven in ten Americans support the American Rescue Plan as more report hearing about it; approval of the vaccine rollout rises 16 points over the course of February.
A majority of Americans approve of President Biden’s agenda as vast support for the American Rescue Plan remains resilient.
Most Americans are hearing some or mostly positive things about Biden with his focus on combatting coronavirus as his top priority, with economic relief close behind.