How do Democrats feel about the strategy? How do they feel about the president himself?ĭemocrats, like most Americans, say they're feeling the effects of inflation, things costing more than they did, things often not in stock. You didn't cause it, but I want you to fix it.Īnthony, Democrats know they have a problem with these economic headwinds, but the argument is that the trillions of dollars in spending packages will offset that. But, as we often see in polling and opinion, even if it's market forces, people sometimes want some relief from those forces.Īnd that's where they turn to political leaders and say, they want them to do something about it, Margaret. They tell us they know that there are supply chain issues, that there's pent-up demand after the pandemic.
So, what do they say they're doing about it? Well, a lot of folks say that they're cutting back, cutting back on spending, maybe holding off buying one of those big-ticket items, maybe even curtailing their holiday spending a little bit.Īnd the other thing here, Margaret, is, people know why there is inflation. That's particularly the case for people in middle and low incomes. They notice that some things are hard to get on store shelves.Īnd then you say, well, what impact does that have on people? And for a majority, they tell us that that's either a difficulty or even a hardship.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Anthony, just how significantly is inflation impacting Americans' lives?ĪNTHONY SALVANTO: So, first of all, people say that they notice the things they usually buy are costing more. Now, how does this relate to President Biden? Well, when you look at how people evaluate him in handling a range of issues, on handling the economy specifically, on handling inflation specifically, he's underwater, at 39 percent on the economy, at 33 percent good on handling inflation.Īnd then the kicker here, Margaret, is that when you ask people how they're evaluating Joe Biden, which criteria, they say, top answers, the economy and inflation. Then, as we headed into the fall, in our polling, well, people started feeling the effects of inflation and views of the economy started to dip again back down to the lower level, where they are today. Back in the winter, views were low, but then, as people thought the pandemic was easing and optimism was on the upswing as we headed into the summer, views of the economy started to rise. Let me tell you a story about views on the economy over the course of this year. That's right, because, to many Americans, when they rate the economy, it's what's right in front of them, the prices they're paying in this case at that gas pump or that cash register. Joining us now to discuss it is CBS News director of surveys and elections Anthony Salvanto.Īnthony, the economy is in recovery, but many Americans apparently don't feel that way.ĪNTHONY SALVANTO: Good morning, Margaret. And it's the economy that is taking the toll on the president's standing, as prices for food, gas and other items continue to rise 67 percent of Americans now disapprove of the president's handling of inflation. His approval rating is at 44 percent, his lowest in our polling since he took office. It doesn't have a lot of good news politically for President Biden. Good morning, and welcome to Face the Nation.