A new survey says most Americans predict President Biden’s legacy will be marked by poor or below-average performance once he leaves office.
Key Facts:
– A Gallup poll shows 54% believe Biden will be remembered as a below-average or poor president.
– Only 19% think he will have a positive legacy, with 6% calling him “outstanding.”
– Gallup ranked Biden second-to-last out of ten modern presidents, with only Richard Nixon scoring lower.
– The pollster noted that former presidents sometimes improve in public opinion after leaving office.
– The poll was conducted between December 2 and 18 with a margin of error of 4%.
The Rest of The Story:
While Biden’s favorability trails behind many of his predecessors, the poll points out that this situation is not entirely unique.
Presidents Jimmy Carter, George W. Bush, and Trump all saw their reputations rise slightly in the years after leaving office.
But for now, the current numbers suggest that a sizable portion of the public remains dissatisfied with Biden’s performance.
When asked about his age and the condition of his leadership, Biden acknowledged he might not have served another term in any scenario.
In a conversation with USA Today, he stated that after the death of his son, Beau, he had little intention of running, but he felt compelled to take on the challenge to defeat Trump if needed.
On the topic of how he hopes history views him, Biden said he wants to be seen as the person who restored the economy and re-established America’s leadership worldwide.
Biden’s legacy is a parade of failure. But now we have the chance to open a new era – and Congress should get to work immediately restoring American strength: opening our energy production, securing our borders, protecting our people pic.twitter.com/vAQVg2dbI9
— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) January 8, 2025
He said, “I hope that my legacy is one that says I took an economy that was in disarray and set it on track to lead the world.”
Critics remain unconvinced, pointing to difficulties at the border, the economy’s ups and downs, and global challenges.
Despite these doubts, some supporters believe he brought stability after a divisive period.
“Delusion is setting in at the Biden White House, especially when his aides tell people that history will view them kindly.”@kayleighmcenany with a low-key savage jab at Biden 46's legacy. History will remember Biden as the worst president of all-time.pic.twitter.com/ERoQUNY5kd
— Kyle Becker (@kylenabecker) January 7, 2025
The Bottom Line:
Public opinion on presidents can shift over time, but Biden now faces a widely held perception of below-average leadership.
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Whether this sentiment changes in the years to come may depend on economic recovery, foreign policy successes, and how future generations judge his tenure.