Under Biden, plurality of Democrats say country on 'wrong track': poll

With Democratic U.S. President Joe Biden in the White House and majorities in both the House and Senate, a plurality of Democrats say the country is moving in the wrong direction.

According to a USA TODAY/Suffolk poll released Friday, 46% of Democrats say the country is "on the wrong track" with only 34% of the incumbent party approving of the nation's trajectory.

The United States is experiencing record high gas prices, with national averages topping $5 per gallon this month for the first time in American history. Also, weighing on American minds is record inflation, stock market volatility, military escalations in Eastern Europe and the Pacific Rim; and an uncontrolled Southern Border witnessing record numbers of illegal crossings.

A staggering 71% of Americans overall say the U.S. is "on the wrong track" with a mere 16% disagreeing with that sentiment. Moreover, the negative view of American prospects is near unanimous among Republican voters while roughly three of four independents feel the same.

President Joe Biden drew a good deal ire from the public, earning a 39% percent overall approval rating while 47% of those polled "strongly" disapprove of his performance in office. Just 16% "strongly" backed him.

The poll showed voters split 40%-40% on the party for which they will vote in the midterms. Democrats currently have 220 seats in the House of the 218 needed for a majority.