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Michigan Voters give the President Negative Ratings on Immigration, Economy, and the Handling of the Gaza Conflict
LANSING, Mich. – The top issue on Michigan voters’ minds right now is the economy, and when asked their thoughts regarding President Biden’s handling of the issue, 58% of Michigan voters disapprove of the President’s performance while only 37% approve, according to MRG’s Michigan Poll® Spring 2024.
The results almost mirror the results Michigan voters gave the President on his overall job approval ratings (36% approved and 57% disapproved). Geographically, only Detroit and Oakland County voters approve of his handling of the economy. Demographically, only Democratic (76%) and liberal (65%) voters approved of his job on the economy. Key voting groups like women (56% disapprove), union members (50% disapprove), and Independents (65% disapprove) disapprove of the President's job on the economy.
The president's most polarizing issue is immigration, and 65% of voters disapprove of his handling of it. The President receives extremely low approval ratings from Independent voters (13%), moderates (21%), African-Americans (26%), union workers (22%), and female voters (23%). Not a single geographic area of the state approves of his job on immigration issues.
This is an issue that hurts the President with his base voters, as 31% of Democrats, 45% of African Americans, 60% of females, and 60% of union workers disapprove of the job the President is doing on immigration.
When asked for their thoughts on the President’s handling of the Israel/Hamas conflict in Gaza, 54% disapproved, while only 20% approved. Not a single region in the state approved of President Biden’s job performance when asked about the economy, immigration, and the Israel/Hamas Conflict in Gaza. The most negative ratings (66% disapprove) came from the area of Wayne County, not including Detroit. That area has a significant number of Arab-American voters.
“These are critical issues that are shaping the national race for President,” said Jenell Leonard, Owner of MRG, LLC. “Michigan has proven to be a battleground state on the road to the White House but President Biden’s handling of these issues is not being received well by Michigan voters. They are far from sold on Biden’s ability to effectively govern on some of the top issues facing the nation.”
On the topic of abortion, 38% of voters approve of Biden’s work on the issue, while 37% disapprove, making abortion his strongest performance in the MRG Michigan Poll® Spring 2024. President Biden found support among traditional Democratic groups such as Democrats (76% support), Liberals (65% support), African-Americans (53% support), and union workers (50% support). The President's campaign is hoping that issues like abortion will offset the negative ratings he is receiving on the other issues.
“Races like this are won in the margins, and the President has a lot of work to do on these issues to shore up his base and convince swing voters he should be trusted with another term,” said Tom Shields, Senior Advisor, MRG, LLC. “These are not polling numbers that usually lead to winning a second term.”
Click below to download the full press release and view results.
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