Americans sour on national outlook ahead of Biden State of the Union: poll

A clear majority of Americans consider the nation to be in a weak position as President Joe Biden prepares to address the country in his upcoming State of the Union speech.

Nearly two-thirds, 62 percent, of respondents in a recent Marist poll indicated that the Union was either "not very strong" or "not strong at all," compared with just 36 percent of those who said it was "strong" or "very strong."

Independents held the most sour view, with 72 percent of that group concerned about the strength of the country, compared to 69 percent of Republicans and 48% of Democrats.

Americans point to partisan extremism as ranking among their concerns for the United States. Fifty-two percent said extremism within the GOP concerned them while 48 percent said the same of extremism among the Democrats.

Respondents further indicated they saw little hope for productivity in the current Congress, with 44 percent expressing the view that the legislature would accomplish less than the Congress that preceded it and 38 percent saying its output would stay at previous levels.

Biden is slated to deliver his State of the Union address on Feb. 7. He may not face a receptive audience as only 42.6% of Americans approve of his performance, compared with 53% who disapprove, according to the RealClearPolitics polling average.