XCR1250

Now you're in 4th. grade.

Especially you.

MC's falls for that crap..he's so dumb.

Nigerian villagers missing two days after suspected nomadic herders kill 140 Hamza Ibrahim and Camillus Eboh Tue, December 26, 2023 at 9:32 AM CST·2 min read 148 By Hamza Ibrahim and Camillus Eboh KANO/ABUJA, Nigeria (Reuters) - Nigerian mother-of-three Grace Godwin was preparing food on Christmas Eve when her husband burst into the kitchen and ordered her and the children to run and take cover in the bush after gunmen were spotted in a nearby village. Soon they heard gunfire, starting an hours-long attack by suspected nomadic herders who rampaged through 15 villages in central Plateau state on Sunday, killing at least 140 people with guns and machetes, officials, police and residents said. It was the bloodiest violence since 2018 when more than 200 people were killed in Nigeria's central region where clashes between herders and farmers are common. "We returned at 6 the next morning and found that houses had been burnt and people killed. There are still people missing," Godwin said by phone. "There is no one in Mayanga (village), women and children have all fled." It was not immediately clear what triggered Sunday's attacks but violence in the region, known as the "Middle Belt", is often characterised as ethno-religious - chiefly Muslim Fulani herdsmen clashing with mainly Christian farmers. But experts and politicians say climate change and expanding agriculture are creating competition for land, pushing farmers and herders into conflict. Nomadic cattle herders are from northern Nigeria, which is getting drier and becoming more prone to drought and floods. That is forcing them to trek further south, where farmers are increasing production as the population rapidly expands. That means less land for nomads and their cattle, supporting the view among local people that the conflict is based on the availability of resources rather than ethnic or religious differences. "These attacks have been recurring. They want to drive us out of our ancestral land but we will continue to resist these assaults," said Magit Macham, who had returned from the state capital Jos to celebrate Christmas with his family. Macham was chatting to his brother outside his house when the sputtering sound of a petrol generator was interrupted by gunshots. His brother was hit by a bullet in the leg but Macham dragged him to into the bush where they hid for the night. "We were taken unawares and those that could run ran into the bush. A good number of those that couldn't were caught and killed with machetes," he said. Plateau governor called the violence "unprovoked" and police said several houses, cars and motorcycles were burnt. President Bola Tinubu, who has yet to spell out how he intends to tackle widespread security, described the attacks as "primitive and cruel" and directed police to track down those responsible. (Additional repoting by Felix Onuah in Abuja and Ardo Hazzad in Bauchi, writing by MacDonald Dzirutwe, editing by Nick Macfie)

Kamala Harris roasted for Christmas pic: 'Is that another gas stove?' Thomas Phippen Wed, December 27, 2023 at 10:01 AM CST·2 min read 1.3k Kamala Harris roasted for Christmas pic: 'Is that another gas stove?' Vice President Kamala Harris faced criticism online this week after sharing a picture of her and second gentleman Doug Emhoff posing next to a gas stove despite the Biden administration's proposal earlier this year to limit use of the appliance. "Merry Christmas to all. May your day be filled with love, family, and good food," Harris wrote on X, adding: "P.S. We are making Christmas beef Wellington." MORE THAN TWO DOZEN DEMOCRATS JOIN GOP IN OPPOSING BIDEN GAS STOVE BAN Conservatives quickly spied what appeared to be a gas range in the casual kitchen picture. "Is that another gas stove?" Rep. Mike Collins, R-Ga., responded. Other conservatives pointed out that the vice president's choice to cook beef may be at odds with previous statements she made about reducing red meat consumption. "I thought we're supposed to eat less red meat for the climate?" Mary Vought wrote. Harris received similar criticism after posting a photo on Thanksgiving showing her and Doug's kitchen. The Biden administration previously claimed it planned to ban gas stoves after U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's top leader, Richard Trumka Jr., told Bloomberg "a ban on gas stoves is on the table" over health concerns. "This is a hidden hazard," Trumka told Bloomberg. "Any option is on the table. Products that can’t be made safe can be banned." Trumka later said it would not apply to existing stoves, but only to new products. That idea was scrapped, but it was followed by a proposed Department of Energy (DOE) regulation that would impose tough new energy efficiency standards for gas stoves. Vice President Kamala Harris posted a Christmas picture apparently showing the second family cooking on a gas stove. She posted a similar shot over Thanksgiving. The House of Representatives approved an amendment in March — with help from several Democrats — that would prevent the DOE from implementing strict new regulations that most gas stoves on the market today would not be able to meet. The House voted 251 to 181 in favor of the amendment from Rep. Gary Palmer, R-Ala., to a larger energy policy bill, and 29 Democrats voted with the GOP. About 38% of American households, or roughly 40 million, use natural gas to cook in their homes. The White House and vice president's office did not respond to Fox News Digital's requests for comment.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/tom-smothers-half-famed-comedy-music-duo-smothers-brothers-dead-86-rcna131330

Phooey

Darn it, I'm slipping. I'll have to post at least 20 more soon. Guy in 1 county South of us had an electric bicycle start on fire, heard it on my scanner.. does that count?

Hi Doug.

https://www.lelemoon.com/product/santa-joe-biden-and-kamala-harris-merry-sniffmas-ugly-christmas-sweater/?attribute_pa_style=long-sleeve&attribute_pa_color=black&attribute_pa_size=l

— NEWS — Biden Admin Sued Over Rule That Mandates Emissions Standards For States By Leif Le Mahieu • Dec 23, 2023 DailyWire.com • Credit: Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images. Twenty-one states, led by Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, are challenging a new rule from the Biden administration that would mandate that states create emission standards and report back to the federal government on their progress. The rule from the Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) would mandate that state departments of transportation come up with goals to reduce CO2 emissions. The Republican attorneys general say that rule is unconstitutional and would harm rural areas where more driving is necessary. “President Biden is unconstitutionally ramming his radical climate agenda through administrative agencies that lack Congressional authority to implement such actions,” Cameron said. “We will not stand by while this administration attempts to circumvent the legislative process.” The rule, which is set to go into effect on January 8, “requires State departments of transportation (State DOT) and metropolitan planning organizations (MPO) to establish declining carbon dioxide (CO2) targets for the GHG measure and report on progress toward the achievement of those targets. The rule does not mandate how low targets must be.” The FHWA will also be empowered to “assess whether State DOTs have made significant progress toward achieving their targets.” A joint complaint was filed on Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky by Cameron and the attorneys general of Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming. “Congress has not given FHWA or DOT authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions,” the complaint says. “Nor can the Agencies compel the States to administer a federal regulatory program or mandate them to further Executive policy wishes absent some other authority to do so — which is lacking as to this rule.” The complaint challenges President Joe Biden, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, the FHWA, and FHWA Administrator Shailen Bhatt. It says that the rule is unconstitutional and violates the principles of federalism. Montana AG Austin Knudsen said the rule was another aspect of the Biden administration’s attempt to implement a “radical green agenda.” “This rule is another unlawful and overreaching regulation by the Biden Administration to force the President’s radical green agenda onto Americans regardless of the costs,” Montana AG Austin Knudsen said. “This one-size-fits-all approach might work for the Washington, DC bureaucrats who cooked it up, but it won’t work for Montana.”

Eviron"mental"ists are definetly MENTAL.

I think it's fun watching some fools think EV junk is great.

You ever get the yellow bar at the page bottom with a message? saying "A unique Identity matching the From Address was not found...etc. etc.

Does anyone use Thunderbird mail?

Biden year-end rating worst of modern-day presidents seeking reelection at this point: Gallup LAUREN IRWIN December 22, 2023 at 7:45 AM President Biden’s year-end approval rating is worse than any other modern-day president seeking reelection’s has been at this point in the campaign cycle, a new survey found. According to December polling from Gallup, Biden’s approval rating sits at 39 percent. By comparison, former President Trump’s approval rating sat at 45 percent when he was was seeking reelection in 2019, and former President Obama’s was 43 percent in 2011. Former President George W. Bush was supported by 58 percent of survey respondents at this time in his reelection cycle, Gallup noted, likely aided by the mid-December capture of Saddam Hussein in 2003. Former Presidents Clinton and George H.W. Bush each had 51 percent support while vying for a second term, according to the survey giant. And former President Reagan’s approval rating was 54 percent in 1983, tied with former President Carter’s in 1979. “Biden enters 2024 with a persistently low job approval rating, the worst of any modern-day president heading in to a tough reelection campaign,” Gallup wrote Friday. Biden’s latest approval rating is slightly up from a record-low 37 percent support in October and November, but is the fifth time the president has fallen below 40 percent in 2023. He began his term in Jan. 2021 with a high of 57 percent support. Support among Democrats dipped in October, likely due to the onset of the Israel-Hamas war, but has improved slightly to 78 percent in the recent survey. Republicans in the new survey, conducted Dec. 1-20, continue to dislike Biden; he has consistently remained in the single digits since Aug. 2021 and earned 5 percent support in the most recent poll. Independents’ “ratings have been more variable,” Gallup noted. In the recent survey, 34 percent of independent respondents approve of Biden, up 7 points from last month’s polling. Heading into the election year, Gallup found that Americans feel better about the economy, but it remains a pressing concern for many. Biden’s handling of foreign affairs will also likely play a large role in the campaign, as the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas wars continue and Republicans press on about immigration security at the country’s southern border.

https://www.today.com/health/men-s-health/360-pound-weight-loss-loose-skin-rcna89024

A Tesla owner says he got a $14,000 repair bill one day after buying a Model Y. A new report suggests it's part of a much bigger problem. Grace Kay Updated Thu, December 21, 2023 at 4:13 AM CST·3 min read 850 A Tesla owner received a $14,000 repair bill for a day-one issue with his Model Y, Reuters reported. He said the Model Y's suspension broke with only 115 miles on the odometer. Reuters found that Tesla had faced thousands of complaints over suspension and steering issues. Shreyansh Jain, a former Tesla owner, was hit with a $14,000 repair bill from an issue he encountered less than 24 hours after taking his brand-new Model Y home, a recent report said. Jain told Reuters part of his electric vehicle's suspension broke when he was driving with his family the day after he'd received delivery of the Model Y. He said the car had 115 miles on its odometer when the suspension issue caused portions of the vehicle to come in contact with the road and Jain to lose steering capabilities. The Reuters investigation — which cited interviews with more than 20 customers and 9 Tesla workers, as well as thousands of internal documents — found that Jain was one of thousands of Tesla owners to face issues with the company's suspension or steering over the past six years. The publication reported that while Tesla had publicly denied some of the issues and attempted to put the onus on owners, the automaker was more aware of the issues than it had indicated publicly. Tesla, which disbanded its press department years ago, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Elon Musk has admitted in the past that the carmaker has faced some quality issues, especially during production ramps. "When you go faster, you just discover these things," he told the auto expert Sandy Munro in 2021. "If we knew them in advance, we'd fix them in advance." Jain told Reuters that his family went from "over the moon" to "absolutely petrified" when the car they had paid about $55,000 to buy broke down on the road. Reuters reported that after Jain took the vehicle into a Tesla service center, a worker initially told Jain that they'd found "no evidence of an external damage" and suggested the electric-car maker would pay for the car to be fixed. But Jain later learned he was expected to pay the $14,000 repair bill after Tesla sent him a letter indicating the issue was the result of "prior" damage, the publication reported. The former Tesla owner told Reuters he ended up paying an insurance deductible of about $1,250 and faced a higher insurance premium going forward. The suspension issue took three months for Tesla to fix, and Jain resold the vehicle at a loss of about $10,000, Reuters reported. Reuters' investigation is far from the first peek into issues with quality control at Tesla. For example, earlier this year, Tesla was investigated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration over reports of some of Tesla's steering wheels falling off while people were driving. The carmaker has also faced scrutiny from regulators over concerns related to its Autopilot and beta Full Self-Driving features and recently issued an over-the-air update after the NHTSA said the company's system for monitoring drivers that used the features was faulty. Tesla owners have also pointed out quality-control issues with the brand over the years — from panel gaps and uneven paint jobs to issues at the company's service centers.

MILITARY & DEFENSE Photos of US Air Force A-10s in action capture Warthog strafing runs and the bullet-riddled aftermath Lauren Frias Share Save A US Air Force A-10C Thunderbolt II pilot flies over Grand Bay Bombing and Gunnery Range near Moody Air Force Base in Georgia. US Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Devin Boyer/DVIDS US Air Force pilots recently practiced strafing runs in the A-10 Thunderbolt II, a close-air support plane also known as the Warthog. The training took place at Grand Bay Bombing and Gunnery Range near Moody Air Force Base in Georgia. Photos show the A-10 performing flight maneuvers and deploying flares. US military photos from a recent training exercise captured US Air Force A-10s in action, showing a bit of what the attack aircraft sometimes described as a cannon with wings is capable of. In early December, Air Force pilots practiced strafing runs with A-10 Thunderbolt II close-air support aircraft, also known as the Warthog. The ground-attack planes are known for their powerful cannon and, in some cases, the unique shark-inspired nose paint. Strafing runs train pilots to attack ground targets using mounted automatic weapons. In the case of the A-10, the plane's GAU-8 Avenger 30 mm cannon can fire nearly 4,000 rounds a minute. Photos from the recent training exercise show A-10s from the 74th Fighter Squadron flying above Moody Air Force Base in Georgia, deploying flares, executing gun runs, and performing impressive flight maneuvers. Some of the A-10s that participated in the training featured a fearsome paint job on the nose of the plane resembling a shark. A US Air Force A-10C Thunderbolt II pilot deploys flares to intercept enemy heat-seeking missiles. US Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Devin Boyer/DVIDS Not all A-10s get to sport the shark teeth war paint. Only planes that are part of the 74th, 75th, and 76th Fighter Squadrons have the shark nose art. It's a design specifically tied to the history of the squadrons. "There are other A-10 units that have nose art, but not the iconic shark face," an A-10 pilot and commanding officer of the 74th Fighter Squadron previously told Business Insider's Ryan Pickrell. The A-10 is a dedicated close-air support plane built to take out ground targets, including tanks. A US Air Force A-10C Thunderbolt II pilot deploys flares near Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. US Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Devin Boyer/DVIDS The aircraft was first introduced in the 1970s and was built with Soviet armor, considered to be a threat to Western Europe during the Cold War, in mind. The gun is so loud that pilots have to wear two layers of ear protection to muffle the sound of the plane's cannon. A US Air Force A-10C Thunderbolt II pilot conducts strafing runs over Grand Bay Bombing and Gunnery Range near Moody Air Force Base in Georgia. US Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Devin Boyer/DVIDS The seven-barrel cannon on the A-10 is famous for the "BRRRT" sound it makes when fired, and it can be something of an intense experience for pilots. An A-10 pilot previously told Business Insider it "feels like driving over railroad tracks" when the gun is fired. "You're sitting right on top of the gun," he said, "so it shakes the whole airplane." The attack aircraft carry a little over a thousand rounds, which are fired in short yet devastating bursts. A photo from the recent training of a bullet-riddled cargo container on the ground is evidence of the A-10's power. A cargo container is covered with bullet holes at Grand Bay Bombing and Gunnery Range near Moody Air Force Base in Georgia. US Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Devin Boyer/DVIDS The plane fires armor-piercing depleted-uranium rounds. Alongside the GAU-8 Avenger cannon, the A-10 carries rockets, missiles, and bombs. The plane also has defenses, such as flares that can be used to intercept enemy heat-seeking missiles. A US Air Force A-10C Thunderbolt II pilot deploys flares over Grand Bay Bombing and Gunnery Range. US Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Devin Boyer/DVIDS But the A-10 may not be flying for too much longer. A U.S. Air Force A-10C Thunderbolt II flies over Grand Bay Bombing and Gunnery Range. US Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Devin Boyer/DVIDS Despite the power of the plane's weapons, the Air Force is planning to retire the A-10, which is over 40 years old, because the aircraft "does not deter or survive against our pacing challenge, and we need to move forward," the military branch said in a past request to Congress, referring specifically to the threats posed by China. The Air Force is looking to the new F-35A Lightning II to perform key A-10 missions like close-air support, but there are some questions as to whether or not it fully meets expectations there. For now, the Warthog is still flying, but its days are numbered.

Merry Christmas and remember to keep Christ in CHRISTmas.

Biden said to be increasingly frustrated by dismal poll numbers In one recent meeting he said poll numbers were unacceptably low and he wanted to know what his team and his campaign were doing about it The night before President Biden departed Washington to celebrate Thanksgiving on Nantucket, Mass., he gathered his closest aides for a meeting in the White House residence. After pardoning a pair of turkeys, an annual White House tradition, Biden delivered some stern words for the small group assembled: His poll numbers were unacceptably low and he wanted to know what his team and his campaign were doing about it. He complained that his economic message had done little to move the ball, even as the economy was growing and unemployment was falling, according to people familiar with his comments, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a private conversation. Keeping up with politics is easy with The 5-Minute Fix Newsletter, in your inbox weekdays. For months, the president and first lady Jill Biden have told aides and friends they are frustrated by the president’s low approval rating and the polls that show him trailing former president Donald Trump, the front-runner for the Republican nomination — and in recent weeks, they have grown upset that they are not making more progress. “We do not discuss the President’s private conversations one way or the other,” Andrew Bates, a White House spokesman, said in a statement. “The President and first lady meet regularly with their senior team for updates and to review plans.” Since that November meeting, which has not been previously reported, most polls continue to show Biden trailing Trump nationally and, more importantly, in key battleground states. The accumulation of troubling polls for Biden has made it harder for Democrats to dismiss them, leading to a fresh set of conversations among Biden officials and allies about whether the president and his team need a shift in strategy. And now Democrats in competitive races are growing increasingly worried about Biden damaging their own electoral prospects. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), who is running for the state’s open Senate seat, has expressed concern to allies that she may not be able to win her race if Biden is at the top of the ticket, according to people familiar with the conversations. A spokesman for Slotkin’s campaign said she “looks forward to running with President Biden.” “As Congresswoman Slotkin has often said, Michiganders care about results, and no one can argue with the results we see in Michigan: dirt is moving and plants are being built and expanded because of Democrats’ legislative accomplishments under President Biden, including the CHIPS Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” Austin Cook, the spokesman, said in a statement. Adding to the challenging political landscape, Biden’s agenda hangs in the balance on Capitol Hill as his pleas to provide more aid to Ukraine and Israel are mired in partisan battles after the visit from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky failed to secure a breakthrough. House Republicans also formalized their impeachment inquiry into the president last week, despite not yet presenting evidence that Biden benefited from his son’s overseas business dealings. Biden officials have grown accustomed to Democratic anxiety about their every move and the state of their campaign. They routinely point to comments made by lawmakers, donors and pundits who declared Biden’s 2020 primary campaign over when he was routed in Iowa and New Hampshire before he went on to win the nomination and the presidency. Over the past two years, congressional Republicans have suggested that investigations into President Biden and his family will benefit them politically. (Video: JM Rieger/The Washington Post, Photo: Craig Hudson/The Washington Post) But now Biden’s approval rating has tied his record low, standing at 38 percent with 58 percent disapproving, according to a Washington Post average of 17 polls in November and December. Voters, including a majority of Democrats, are particularly concerned about Biden’s age and consistently rank it as a bigger problem for the president, 81, than Trump, 77. In the states, recent polls from CNN found Biden trailed Trump in Michigan by 10 points and in Georgia by 5 points. In early November, New York Times-Siena College polls found Biden trailing Trump in five of the six most competitive battleground states: Trump led Biden by 10 percentage points in Nevada, six in Georgia, five in Arizona and Michigan and four in Pennsylvania. Biden led Trump by two in Wisconsin, albeit well within the 4.8-point margin of error. In 2020, Biden defeated Trump in all six of those states, though by very narrow margins. “I feel the same way I did in 2015 and 2016,” Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) said. “There’s work to do.” She added: “Next year is going to be a very competitive race. The country is angry.” On Sunday night, the president and the first lady stopped by the campaign’s headquarters in Wilmington, Del., to have dinner with campaign staff. The two spent roughly an hour there, chatting with staff — the president also joined some FaceTime calls with family members — and eating Italian food. The president, in brief remarks, told his staff that the election was bigger than him and about the future of the country’s democracy, according to a person familiar with his comments. When leaving the offices, Biden told reporters who asked why he was losing to Trump in the polls that people were reading “the wrong polls.” Publicly, Biden campaign officials and Democratic allies have downplayed the polls, telling supporters to largely ignore them. They argue the election is still almost a year away and polls are not predictive of the results, but rather a snapshot of the current moment. They say most voters are not paying attention to the election yet, and the polls will change once the race becomes a clear choice between Biden and Trump. Share this articleShare Only recently, though, have Biden officials started to scale up the campaign, which they launched in April, after months of warnings from top Democrats in battleground states that they were too slow to build out their operation. Since Thanksgiving, the campaign has announced leadership teams in Nevada, Michigan, Wisconsin and South Carolina and more staffers are slated to be announced before the end of the year, campaign officials said. “The Republican primary could end quickly, and the general election could begin in weeks, not months,” said Simon Rosenberg, a Democratic strategist. “Given Trump’s noisiness and his ability to bully his way through the daily information wars, I think it’s really important that the Biden campaign move into general election mode as soon as possible. We’re not where we want to be. Some of our coalition is wandering and we need to go get them back.” Biden campaign officials point to their close collaboration with the Democratic National Committee, arguing they had a head start in building a national campaign apparatus. Since Biden was elected, the DNC has continued to invest in battleground states, including a recently launched pilot test of its 2024 organizing strategy in Wisconsin and Arizona. “We are methodically and strategically building the infrastructure we’ll need to activate the broad and diverse coalition of voters that sent Joe Biden and Kamala D. Harris to the White House, and are confident that the full campaign apparatus that builds off three years of significant investments at the DNC will be a powerful force to defeat whatever MAGA Republican we face next year,” TJ Ducklo, a spokesman for the Biden campaign, said in a statement. One bright spot in recent weeks for Biden has been his fundraising operation. People familiar with the effort say they are optimistic they will hit their target of $67 million for the final quarter of 2023, typically a difficult time to raise money because of Thanksgiving and Christmas. Over a 36-hour period this month, the Biden campaign raised over $15 million in Southern California alone, the people said. The massive haul came after Democratic candidates, including Biden, had stayed away from fundraising in Los Angeles because of the nearly four month actors strike, which ended in early November. While in California, both the president and first lady attended star-studded fundraisers, with Lenny Kravitz performing at one with the president and Chrissy Teigen and Kerry Washington hosting an event for the first lady, with a guest list that included actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus. And last week, top Biden donors gathered at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Washington, formerly the Trump International Hotel, for a national finance committee meeting where many rejoiced in taking over a space that a few years ago was the favored watering hole of Trump officials and allies during the former president’s term. “The last several weeks have been remarkably successful,” Jeffrey Katzenberg, the movie mogul who is a longtime Democratic fundraiser and national co-chair of Biden’s campaign. Now Democrats in the battleground states say they want to see that money in action. Former congressman Conor Lamb (D-Pa.), who attended the president’s fundraiser in Philadelphia last week, said Biden’s campaign needs to activate the party’s network of grass-roots supporters. “In the minds of many Democrats, we campaigned on a set of ideas in 2020, and we went into office and executed on them,” he said. “We feel like we have a good story to tell, but that doesn’t seem to be registering yet.” He said many Biden supporters are in “a state of paralysis” over how to get involved in the campaign and improve the president’s standing. “I think a lot of activists feel that everyone they know is happy with the president,” Lamb said. “They’re not understanding who is in the majority of the country that is dissatisfied and what to do to change their minds. He added: “A lot of us are looking to the campaign for leadership on how we’re going to overcome that together and what role they need us to play.” Emily Guskin and Scott Clement contributed to this report.

Joe Biden blames aides as polls hit record low Tony Diver Mon, December 18, 2023 at 1:43 PM CST·3 min read 889 President Joe Biden talks with his wife, Jill, after attending Mass with family members on Monday - MANUEL BALCE CENATA/AP Joe Biden has confronted aides over record low approval ratings, allegedly berating them for failing to sell his vision to the American public. A survey by Monmouth University in New Jersey found that the US president has a net approval rating of minus 27 points, and performs especially badly with voters on the subjects of the economy and immigration. The poll found that 34 per cent of Americans approve of the president’s job performance, while 61 per cent disapprove. The poll shows a lower approval rating than aggregate scores from surveys across the board, which give Mr Biden a score of around minus 16 per cent on average. His ratings have consistently worsened throughout this year, and have dropped 10 points overall since September. It comes amid reports that Mr Biden had berated his campaign aides over his poor performance, and expressed particular concern about voters’ views on the economy. The president, who is running again in next year’s election, has made “Bidenomics” the focus of his early campaign, emphasising a package of measures designed to improve American manufacturing in key sectors including green energy technology and computer chips. ‘Unacceptably low’ The Washington Post reported that Mr Biden gathered his campaign team on Nov 20 and told them that his ratings were “unacceptably low” and that he “wanted to know what his team and his campaign were doing about it”. A White House spokesman told the newspaper: “We do not discuss the president’s private conversations one way or the other.” Monmouth University’s latest poll shows net negative ratings for Mr Biden’s flagship policies, with a majority of voters disapproving of his work on jobs, climate change and infrastructure. The survey found that 44 per cent of Americans are struggling to remain where they are financially, while 43 per cent report being basically stable and 12 per cent believe their financial situation is improving. “The Biden administration keeps touting their infrastructure investments and a host of positive economic indicators,” said Patrick Murray, the director of the university’s polling institute. “Those data points may be factual, but most Americans are still smarting from higher prices caused by post-pandemic inflation. This seems to be what’s driving public opinion.” ‘Political danger’ “There is political danger in pushing a message that basically tells people their take on their own situation is wrong.” Mr Biden is already facing calls from some Democrats to shift the focus of his campaign away from the economy and towards abortion, where a majority of voters are aligned with his party’s position of protecting women’s access to termination services in most circumstances. Few voters support outright bans beyond six weeks of pregnancy – a policy enacted by Ron DeSantis, Florida’s governor and a Republican presidential candidate. Mr Biden has requested that the US Supreme Court rule on women’s access to mifepristone, an abortion pill, after conservative campaigners won a lower court ruling to limit supply earlier this year. The Monmouth poll also found that voters do not approve of the work of the US Congress, which narrowly avoided a full government shutdown last month. Another looms early next year if Mr Biden cannot secure a majority in the House of Representatives for his latest funding request.

Texas official threatens to remove Biden from ballot in retaliation for Trump in Colorado