A new poll has found that Americans are growing less pessimistic about the economy after years of record inflation that followed massive layoffs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The poll from USA Today and Suffolk University found that inflation and the economy were the top issues for voters (29%), followed by immigration (24%) and threats to democracy (23%).
However, the pollsters noted that voters were feeling more optimistic about the economy than in recent months, sharing that levels are the highest they’ve been in the 10 surveys it’s run since Biden took office.
The poll also looked at what is now expected to be a 2020 rematch between former President Donald Trump and President Biden, noting that both men remain unpopular among voters, with both having an unfavorability rating of 55%.
Still, as things stand, 40% of voters said they would vote for Trump, and 38% said they would for Biden, a trend that has been common throughout the last six months.
Among their respective parties, Republicans are more “excited” for another four years of Trump (43%) than Democrats are for Biden (22%).
With the White House trying to show voters that Biden’s policies have helped improve the economy, the poll may show that the efforts are working. A third of registered voters shared with the pollsters that they think the economy is recovering, the highest such rating since Biden took office, according to the survey.
David Paleologos, director of the Suffolk University Political Research Center, shared in a statement that this data point is critical to follow as we grow closer to the election.
“If the trend continues, more voters could connect the economic recovery to President Biden, especially if the economy continues to dominate other issues as we get closer to November,” Paleologos said.
Still, even with Biden quieting some fears in recent weeks, thanks to his State of the Union address last week, Americans are still skeptical about the 81-year-old serving another term.
A poll from last month conducted by ABC News/Ipsos poll found that 86% of Americans think the 81-year-old president is too old to serve another term as president.
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With the release of the transcripts from Special Counsel Robert Hur’s sit down with Biden raising more eyebrows, it remains to be seen how Americans will feel come election day.