# Is it just me or is President Biden really good at the job? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [June 1, 2023, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-just-me-or-is-president-biden-really-good-at-the-job/984859 "2023-06-01T06:12:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![psychobunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/54ee81/32.png) [@psychobunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychobunny)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2023, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-just-me-or-is-president-biden-really-good-at-the-job/984859/1 "2023-06-01T06:12:01Z")
I know his approval numbers are terrible, but it just seems that every time something seems absolutely impossible, he manages to get bipartisan consensus and get a bill passed. He certainly doesn’t get everything the Democrats want but he manages to give the Republicans enough to generally make them happy without having to give in to their more radical ideas. Sure, nobody really wants to default on the debt but I think that many Republicans were willing to do it just to tank his presidency and guarantee a Republican wave in 2024. I certainly didn’t think he would get approval from 72% of the House. When I look at what has been accomplished so far in 2 1/2 years, I am impressed. We have infrastructure, we still have clean energy, we got pandemic relief. We have inflation but that is because we have the lowest unemployment since the 1970s. People look at him and think he has dementia, that he doesn’t have a forceful personality or that he’s good old Uncle Joe. But I think he may leave a legacy of progressive accomplishments to rival Johnson. In a time of incredible division in this country, he somehow manages to get things done but more incredibly, he gets them done with support from both sides. I mostly voted for him as NOT TRUMP. I really did not think that he would be this effective. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2023, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-just-me-or-is-president-biden-really-good-at-the-job/984859/2 "2023-06-01T06:25:52Z")
Personally I think he is the 2nd worst president that we have had during my lifetime. The only one I think was worse was Trump. ---
**Author:** ![psychobunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/54ee81/32.png) [@psychobunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychobunny)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2023, 7:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-just-me-or-is-president-biden-really-good-at-the-job/984859/3 "2023-06-01T07:59:41Z")
Is your feeling because of inflation or something else? ---
**Author:** ![duality72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duality72/32/3910_2.png) [@duality72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duality72)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2023, 8:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-just-me-or-is-president-biden-really-good-at-the-job/984859/4 "2023-06-01T08:04:44Z")
Maybe they’re 14 years old? ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2023, 8:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-just-me-or-is-president-biden-really-good-at-the-job/984859/5 "2023-06-01T08:24:08Z")
My 3 worst presidents are in no particular order Nixon, Reagan and Trump. I could dig into my degree and swan my way back into the past before my lifespan, but Engineer\_comp\_geek mentioned in his lifetime so that is what I decided to pick timewise. Personally I think given the rabid asshattery of the Repubs are bound and determined to fuck over any Democrat in any office in the US and territories, he is doing a bang up fucking excellent job given the trainwreck he took over. Having to deal with a freaking insurrection, shepherding a mass of traitors into the slammer and everything else dumpsterfire left us with, I can’t see a Repub managing to do anything, Ghu knows if dumpsterfire had gotten reelected, we would be a satellite state of Putin shortly. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2023, 8:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-just-me-or-is-president-biden-really-good-at-the-job/984859/6 "2023-06-01T08:40:19Z")
Worse than Nixon? ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2023, 8:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-just-me-or-is-president-biden-really-good-at-the-job/984859/7 "2023-06-01T08:51:03Z")
I think he’s doing a much better job than I expected of him, although there are areas where he could do better. [And I’m not the only one](https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/may-30-2023): > [@](#): > > Biden has worked to replace 40 years of supply-side economics with policies to rebuild the nation’s economy and infrastructure by supporting ordinary Americans. The American Rescue Plan gave the United States a faster economic recovery from the COVID pandemic than any other major economy. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has already funded more than 32,000 projects in more than 4,500 communities in all 50 states, Washington D.C., and U.S. territories. > > The Inflation Reduction Act made the biggest investment in addressing climate change in our history, and according to University of Washington transportation analyst Jack Conness, it and the CHIPS and Science Act have already attracted over $220 billion in private investment, much of it going to Republican-dominated states: Tennessee, Nevada, North Carolina, and Oklahoma have each attracted more than $4 billion; Ohio, more than $6 billion; Arizona, more than $7 billion; South Carolina, more than $9 billion; and Georgia, more than $13 billion. > > Victoria Guida in Politico yesterday reported that the reordering of the economy under Biden and the Democrats has reversed the widening income gap between wage workers and upper-income professionals that has been growing for the past 40 years. The pay of those making an average of $12.50 an hour grew by almost 6% from 2020 to 2022, even after inflation. ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2023, 9:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-just-me-or-is-president-biden-really-good-at-the-job/984859/8 "2023-06-01T09:01:27Z")
I’m with you. I think that overall he is doing a terrific job. Too bad he gets saddled with the current economy. Like all presidents he gets the largely undeserved credit or blame for pocketbook issues. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2023, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-just-me-or-is-president-biden-really-good-at-the-job/984859/9 "2023-06-01T13:39:52Z")
> [@suranyi](#): > > Worse than Nixon? and GWB??? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2023, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-just-me-or-is-president-biden-really-good-at-the-job/984859/10 "2023-06-01T13:40:24Z")
and Carter? ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2023, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-just-me-or-is-president-biden-really-good-at-the-job/984859/11 "2023-06-01T13:43:48Z")
Biden’s a B or a B- president. Straight in the middle average, but an absolute breath of fresh air after the F- that was Trump. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2023, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-just-me-or-is-president-biden-really-good-at-the-job/984859/12 "2023-06-01T13:45:49Z")
> [@Stratocaster](#): > > Too bad he gets saddled with the current economy. I don’t understand statements like this. The current economy is fantastic, with low unemployment and rising wages. Inflation is moderating, and is still a few points lower than when Reagan or Bush 1 was president. Maybe there will be a recession later this year, or maybe there will be a soft landing, but the current state is quite good. Forgot to address the OP! The Inflation Reduction Act was a big deal and will play a big role in reducing the effects of climate change. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2023, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-just-me-or-is-president-biden-really-good-at-the-job/984859/13 "2023-06-01T13:45:55Z")
> [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > Personally I think he is the 2nd worst president that we have had during my lifetime. The only one I think was worse was Trump. On what grounds? If it’s inflation, do you think the president controls inflation? Helping Ukraine? Do you think it’s better to give Ukraine to Putin and fight him in the Baltics? What pray tell is your objection? ---
**Author:** ![mjmartin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3d9bf3/32.png) [@mjmartin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mjmartin)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2023, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-just-me-or-is-president-biden-really-good-at-the-job/984859/14 "2023-06-01T13:48:01Z")
I think he gets a B+ or better on his ability to govern. I think he gets a D or worse on his ability to effectively communicate his accomplishments and what he is fighting for. ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2023, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-just-me-or-is-president-biden-really-good-at-the-job/984859/15 "2023-06-01T13:54:18Z")
> [@RitterSport](#): > > I don’t understand statements like this. The current economy is fantastic, with low unemployment and rising wages. Inflation is moderating, and is still a few points lower than when Reagan or Bush 1 was president. That’s a fair point. I should have more clearly articulated it as being saddled with the _perception_ of a weak economy. Most of the polls I’ve seen show lingering anxiety over the economy—gas and grocery prices and such. But I agree that the economic fundamentals are very solid. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2023, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-just-me-or-is-president-biden-really-good-at-the-job/984859/16 "2023-06-01T14:15:54Z")
> [@mjmartin](#): > > I think he gets a D or worse on his ability to effectively communicate his accomplishments and what he is fighting for. I see this all the time, that the Dems need to “get their message out” more clearly and vociferously. Without a single solitary shred of advice as to what they should be doing, specifically, to deeply embed said words and notions into the public consciousness. Just what, exactly, do you want them to do? The Sunday morning talk shows have been heavily biased towards hosting Repubs for years now. If a Dem says something cogent or incisive, but the media fails to report it, are you saying that it is the Dem’s fault? Do you want every Dem in DC and elsewhere to grab a megaphone and yammer on at streetcorners whenever they get a chance? [There is some Christian guy who does that around here, heard him yesterday] Biden gave a rousing speech several months ago which went over very well (welp except for a certain segment of the voting population of course). ---
**Author:** ![mjmartin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3d9bf3/32.png) [@mjmartin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mjmartin)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2023, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-just-me-or-is-president-biden-really-good-at-the-job/984859/17 "2023-06-01T14:21:54Z")
> [@John\_DiFool](#): > > I see this all the time, that the Dems need to “get their message out” more clearly and vociferously. Without a single solitary shred of advice as to what they should be doing, specifically, to deeply embed said words and notions into the public consciousness. First, I said Biden, not the Dems. I think that he is a particularly poor public speaker for a politician. > [@John\_DiFool](#): > > Just what, exactly, do you want them to do? The Sunday morning talk shows have been heavily biased towards hosting Repubs for years now. If a Dem says something cogent or incisive, but the media fails to report it, are you saying that it is the Dem’s fault? Do you want every Dem in DC and elsewhere to grab a megaphone and yammer on at streetcorners whenever they get a chance? Again, you’re talking about the Dems, and I am talking about President Biden, specifically. There are plenty of good mouth pieces for the Democrats (I think Pete Buttigieg does an amazing job). > [@John\_DiFool](#): > > Biden gave a rousing speech several months ago which went over very well (welp except for a certain segment of the voting population of course). I don’t know what speech you are referring to, but given the importance of the debt ceiling issue, I would have loved to hear forcefully and repeatedly from him on what the Republicans were risking by playing games. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2023, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-just-me-or-is-president-biden-really-good-at-the-job/984859/18 "2023-06-01T14:22:27Z")
I think he is what this nation sorely needed after 4 years of Trump. He is honest, soft spoken, straight forward, and one hundred percent behind the democratic principles this nation was founded on. ---
**Author:** ![InternetLegend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/internetlegend/32/13154_2.png) [@InternetLegend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InternetLegend)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2023, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-just-me-or-is-president-biden-really-good-at-the-job/984859/19 "2023-06-01T14:51:22Z")
Biden is a solid old-style politician, and I mean that as a compliment. Compromise and deal-making are so out of fashion that the general public now associates it with weakness, but it’s what’s required to make government work. Oddly, Kevin McCarthy and Mitch McConnell both know this and know how to do it, but as soon as they’re seen to put it in practice, their newer colleagues set on them like rabid dogs. For some of them, it’s because that’s what plays well with the rubes, but there is a significant and vocal portion of freshman GOP Congresspeople who sincerely want to burn the whole government down regardless of the consequences. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2023, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-just-me-or-is-president-biden-really-good-at-the-job/984859/20 "2023-06-01T15:03:16Z")
I think the worst president in my lifetime was probably Reagan. He gutted our social safety net and successfully turned public opinion to “i got mine”. He was effective, but did a lot of damage to our nation. If Trump gets reelected he will be worst though. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-just-me-or-is-president-biden-really-good-at-the-job/984859.md?page=2)