Republican lead in House shrinks again as voters see high-stakes contest — CBS News Battleground Tracker
CBSNov 18, 2022
The Facts
With just a week to go until the US midterm elections, a two-day national poll on Tuesday found that 40% of Americans approve of Biden's job performance, up a percentage point from a week earlier.
Despite the news, Biden's numbers are still close to their lowest point throughout his tenure — 40%. The Reuters/Ipsos poll also found that nearly one-third of people considered the economy the biggest problem facing the nation as the Democrats prepare to defend their hold on the House and Senate.
The Spin
Republican narrative
Democrats are tethered to the President's low approval rating as the party faces darkening midterm prospects. Much like the Biden administration, the Democrats cannot escape voters' concerns over the economy and violent crime. It's clear why the president has avoided key swing states in advance of the midterms — he's a burden on his own party's electoral prospects.
Democratic narrative
While an incumbent president is always an electoral disadvantage, the GOP has thrown its rivals an electoral lifeline in the shape of extremist and under-qualified senate candidates. Republicans have put exceptionally poor candidates up for election in key states. Despite continuing ad hominem attacks on their political leader, polls have shown that voters often hold a relatively more favorable view of Democratic over Republican candidates.