President Joe Biden is facing a daunting challenge as his approval ratings hit an all-time low of 38 percent, according to a recent report from the Washington Post. Frustrated by his plummeting popularity, Biden has turned to his inner circle for solutions, expressing dismay that even his predecessor, Donald Trump, is polling stronger. The roots of Biden's unpopularity may lie in the fact that he was never a widely beloved figure nationally. Despite his long tenure in the public eye, including 36 years as a US senator, his appeal was limited to his home state of Delaware, a small state with low population density.

Even in previous presidential campaigns, Biden struggled to gain traction, dropping out in 1988 amid a plagiarism scandal and facing low voter favorability in the 2008 and 2020 primaries. His victory over Trump in 2020 was seen more as a flight to safety for voters wary of a controversial president, rather than an endorsement of Biden's popularity. From the early days of his presidency, signs of Biden's inherent unpopularity began to emerge. Despite a brief honeymoon period, his approval ratings began to slide, reaching the current low point.

The media initially attributed the decline to various factors such as the Covid-19 pandemic, the Afghanistan withdrawal, legislative drama, and challenges at the border. Inflation was also later blamed, but as it receded, explanations for Biden's poor numbers became more elusive. Some experts speculate that Biden's perceived lack of competence, age, or failure to address a widespread sense of despair could be contributing factors. The truth, however, may be simpler: Biden has never been a highly popular figure. As the White House reportedly plans to polish Biden's image by showcasing his vigor, the challenge remains significant.

Repackaging first-term accomplishments may not be enough to win over the public. While Biden has beaten Trump before, his unpopularity might not matter if voters dislike the alternative enough. In the face of dwindling approval, Biden could draw inspiration from President Lyndon Johnson's playbook in 1968, who, facing similar challenges, chose to drop out of the presidential contest, eventually regaining a 50 percent approval rating. Whether Biden can turn the tide before the next election remains uncertain.