Representative of the deep discontent among Americans, 74% say the US is headed in the wrong direction, 58% believe the country’s best days are in the rearview mirror, and 61% say they are so angry they would be willing to walk for a day marked by protest, the NBC News poll found. Asked what the signs would say, Democratic voters chose “women’s rights,” “abortion rights” and “prosecute Trump” — while Republicans said they would field banners that read “denounce Biden,” “protect our freedom” and “protect the 2nd amendment.” President Joe Biden has a 42 percent approval rating, according to an NBC News poll.APAndrew Harnik, Pool With 77 days to go before the November election and Democratic control of Congress hanging in the balance, Biden’s job approval rating hasn’t budged in months. The poll shows that 42% of American voters approve of the president, but 55% disapprove — numbers that have remained essentially unchanged since October 2021. Biden’s strongest support comes from Democrats (79%), black voters (58%), urban residents (50%) and women (47%). Pollsters credit the Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade as a boost for Democrats. Mario Tama/Getty Images It also found that 47% of registered voters favor Republicans taking control of Congress, with 45% supporting Democrats. The poll was conducted between August 12 and 16 after Congress passed the Inflation Reduction Act that includes a number of climate and health care initiatives. Amidst the dire numbers, Democrats can find a small glimmer of hope for the midterm elections, as members of their own party have begun to close the enthusiasm gap. The poll shows that 68 percent of Republicans express a high level of interest in the November election — scoring either a 9 or 10 on a 10-point scale — while Democrats are at 66 percent. But that 2 percentage point GDP advantage represents a 17 point drop from March. Pollsters credit the Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade as a boost for Democrats. “The Supreme Court decision has rattled the electorate,” Jeff Horwitt of Hart Research Associates told NBC. The poll also came after the FBI raided former President Donald Trump’s Florida resort in an investigation into classified documents he removed from the White House. Asked about the investigations into Trump, 57% believe they should continue, while 40% say they should end because they are politically divisive.
