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In a dramatic exchange on ‘The View’, co-host Joy Behar sharply rebuked Sunny Hostin for pointing out President Joe Biden’s plummeting approval ratings, particularly of his handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict. The candid moment revealed the deepening cracks in the growing concern among Democrats as they face backlash from their own base.
The debate erupted over the perception of Biden’s policies among young voters, a demographic crucial to his 2020 victory. Hostin highlighted the divide in the group, particularly over the issue of the Gaza conflict, which they see as an environmental justice issue.
Her assertion that this could lead to young voters abandoning Biden seemed to unsettle Behar.
WATCH:
Hostin’s remarks were grounded in recent polling data indicating a 57% disapproval rating for Biden’s handling of the “bloody, bloody war.” The dissatisfaction is pronounced among voters aged 18 to 29, with nearly three-quarters expressing disapproval of the administration’s approach.
Behar’s response, downplaying the concerns and questioning whether these young voters would shift their allegiance to Trump, was met with skepticism. The implication that concerns over abortion and voting rights might prevent a conservative shift did little to assuage the evident anxiety about voter turnout for 2024.
The conversation took a notable turn when the hosts warned of media manipulation, urging viewers to be wary of narratives shaping public opinion. The sentiment, coming from a traditionally left-leaning host, ironically underscored the growing unease within the Democratic Party.
They are increasingly aware of the diverse and pressing issues their voting bloc expects them to address. The on-air clash is a microcosm of the broader challenges facing the Biden administration and the Democratic Party.
In polls conducted by NBC News, voters between the ages of 18 and 34 are breaking for Trump over Biden, 36% to 34%, a result within the margin of error but still disastrous for the president’s reelection campaign. Democratic candidates can typically rely on the youngest cohort of national voters to support them by double-digit margins, and exit polling from the 2020 election showed Gen Z voters supporting Biden by a 20-point margin.
When reached for comment, many of those polled expressed their ambivalence about reelecting the 81-year-old Democrat, saying he has failed to deliver on campaign promises around climate change, student debt, or codifying federal protections for abortion.
Some of the largest setbacks in the history of the Democratic Party have occurred on Biden’s watch. In 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court invalidated Roe v. Wade, returning the issue of abortion to state-level politics. In the face of record inflation, Biden aggressively expanded drilling for fossil fuels on federal lands, reneging on a promise of transitioning the nation toward a green economy.
After attempting to cancel up to $40,000 in student debt per individual, Biden’s executive order was invalidated by the Supreme Court, and he has so far delivered piecemeal solutions while payments have resumed at a time when many Americans are still struggling financially.
As the 2024 election approaches, Democrats must grapple with internal divisions and disillusionment among key demographics.
The tension on ‘The View’ was a telling sign of the challenges ahead. Only time will tell if they can bridge these divides and rally their base, or if they will succumb to the growing discontent brewing within their ranks.
