Americans say the U.S. lost ground in a host of ways during President Joe Biden's time in the White House, according to a new Gallup poll.
Large shares of Americans say the U.S. lost ground under Biden when it comes to the federal debt (67%), immigration (64%), the gap between the wealthy and less well-off (60%), the economy (59%), the country's position in the world (58%), and crime (51%), Gallup results show.
In addition, pluralities say the U.S. has fallen behind in education, terrorism, trade relations with other countries, race relations, the nation's infrastructure, and energy.
The only issue U.S. adults say there has been progress (39%) rather than regression (23%) or steadiness (31%) is gay, lesbian, and transgender rights.
The Gallup poll asked participants if they believe the U.S. has made progress, stood still or lost ground during the last four years in relation to 18 specific issues.
More U.S. adults say the country has stood still on two issues (climate change, the situation for Black people) than think it has made progress or lost ground.
Americans are about evenly divided on whether the U.S. has lost ground or stood still on healthcare, national defense and the military, and taxes. Only a relative few see progress in these areas.
Republicans and GOP-leaning independents say the country has lost ground in 17 of the 18 areas, especially on immigration, the federal debt and the economy, over the past four years.
The situation for LGBTQ people is the only issue that Republicans say has made progress under Biden.
Not surprisingly, Democrats and independents who lean toward the Democratic Party have net-positive views of the changes that have occurred over the past four years on 14 of the 18 issues.
Gallup also found that Biden's net progress lags his three immediate predecessors – former Presidents George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump – significantly on national defense and the military, immigration, and taxes. His net progress also is worse than Obama's and Trump's on the federal debt, the gap between the wealthy and less well-off, and trade relations with other countries.
The Gallup poll was conducted Dec. 2-18.
Charlie McCarthy ✉
Charlie McCarthy, a writer/editor at Newsmax, has nearly 40 years of experience covering news, sports, and politics.
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