The NPR Politics Podcast Biden Passed Lots Of Popular Legislation. He's Unpopular. What's Up?
Dec 12, 2022
President Biden grapples with surprising unpopularity despite significant legislative wins, like climate change investments and gun control. The podcast dives into how recent midterm elections revealed a complex voter landscape, influenced by polarization and key issues like abortion rights. It also discusses the hurdles of a divided Congress, potential Republican investigations into Biden, and the challenge of fostering bipartisan cooperation on pressing topics like Ukraine aid. Insights from political correspondents add depth to this tumultuous political narrative.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Changing Correlations
- Traditional political correlations are weakening, like presidential approval and economic performance.
- Voters are increasingly tribal, and fear of the opposition party can outweigh dissatisfaction with their own.
Midterm Influences
- The Dobbs abortion decision and extreme candidates were major factors in the 2022 midterms.
- These issues motivated voters across the political spectrum, defying typical polarization.
Polarization and Choice
- Voters often choose between two parties, even with disaffection, due to limited options.
- Polarization remains significant, with party affiliation outweighing individual candidate qualities in many cases.