Biden Doubles Vaccination Goal in First 100 Days to 200 Million

In his first press conference, President Joe Biden doubled his initial commitment to vaccinate 100 million Americans in his first 100 days in office. Both the supply and the rate of vaccinations (2 million per day) have increased sufficiently in the last ten weeks to make the goal doable. As of the end of March, 71 percent of adults over the age of 65 have received one shot.

Although infections, hospitalizations and deaths have slowed, they are still substantial. In the last month, the U.S. and Brazil were the two countries logging in more fatalities, with 50,000 in the U.S. and 60,000 in Brazil. The two countries continue to lead the world in total deaths. A new entrant into the list of top seven nations for deaths is Russia (97,000), just passing France.

In a powerful new CNN documentary by Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN’s medical correspondent, Dr. Deborah Birx offers the view that the number of U.S. deaths could have been substantially reduced if the lessons from the surge in April had been universally applied by states and cities as they faced later surges.

The Biden administration and its medical advisors continue to be worried that many states and locals are easing up on restrictions too quickly. Also, there is considerable concern about anti-vaccine messaging. Upwards of a third of Republicans claim they won’t take the shot.

Can Congressional Democrats Pass Gun Control in 2021?

Colorado has been the victim of three nationally significant mass shootings since the late 1990s: Columbine, Aurora Theater and Boulder King Soopers. David Siders, a senior writer for Politico, uses Colorado as a model for the challenges and opportunities for gun control after a mass shooting. He points out that gun control is popular with the public, the NRA is in disarray and Democrats control the presidency and Congress. This should be the year for passage of at least universal background checks.

But, gun control has been a top Democratic agenda item at least since 2012 (Sandy Hook) and has not passed Congress. Of course, the current Democratic majority is exceptionally slim, making Democrats’ success tenuous since there is still little Republican support identified. Will 2021 be different?

Siders quoted me saying:

“But even if legislation ultimately fails in Washington, holding a vote on a major gun reform bill could be politically significant ahead of the midterm elections next year. For Democrats, said Floyd Ciruli, a Denver-based pollster, such legislation ‘would be, at least to some extent, to get a vote on it and be able to use it in suburban districts’ in Colorado and across the country.”

Gun safety advocates rally in front of the U.S.
Supreme Court | Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Japan – First Foreign Visits for U.S. Secretaries of State and Defense

The first trip abroad of the American Secretaries of State and Defense were to their counterparts in Japan. Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi said on March 16 the “free and open international order is greatly challenged by attempts to change the status quo by force and progress of authoritarian system.” Secretary Blinken agreed: “China uses coercion and aggression to systemically erode autonomy in Hong Kong, undercut democracy in Taiwan, abuse human rights in Xinjiang and Tibet, and assert maritime claims in the South China Sea that violate international law.”

Although Japan has been a U.S. ally for decades, it is now the country the U.S. is forging a special relationship with as Asia becomes the primary foreign policy theater and China the focus of its attention. Demonstrating the heightened attention is that Prime Minister Suga will be the first top foreign leader to visit the White House.

During the Trump presidency, due to Shinzo Abe’s personalized outreach, Japan avoided much of the disruption rained on other U.S. allies. Japan’s concerns about China are well-established and now mirror those of the U.S. Japan under Abe promoted the Indo-Pacific as a strategic concept and created a replacement trade structure for the failed TPP. In fact, Japan’s reputation in South East Asia is better than the U.S. President Joe Biden and Blinken will push for some reconciliation with South Korea and an increase in defense spending. But as of now, Japan is first in Asia for America’s attention.

U.S. and China: “Getting Real in Anchorage”

Secretary Tony Blinken’s first exchange with China’s Communist Party’s top diplomat, Yang Jiechi, got testy before they finished their opening remarks as the usual protocol was pushed aside and each side made its case in full force. The four-minute photo op became a 1:15 minute debate over the flaws and ill-intent of each country. The media described the exchange as testy, frothy and rocky (Brookings called the exchange “Getting real in Anchorage”).

At the conclusion of the exchange, it was clear a new era had begun for China and U.S. relations. Having passed beyond any expectations of China evolving, or Obama’s “pivot” to Asia, or Trump’s trade deficit focus, a new, broader and more ambitious policy is being adopted. Asia is now the primary theater and the U.S. is looking for allies, with Japan the top prospect and the Quad newly revived.

Although Blinken, Jiechi and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met later in some more amicable substantive conversations, China relations are now highly competitive and the main focus of disputes will be values and ideals of democracy and application of the rule of law, or which system can produce the most peace, prosperity and security for their own and the world’s population.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, far right, speaks as Chinese Communist
Party foreign affairs chief Yang Jiechi, left, and China's State Councilor
Wang Yi, second from left, listen at the opening session of US-China talk,
Anchorage, Alaska, March 18, 2021 | Frederic J. Brown/Pool via AP

Biden’s First Multilateral Meeting – The Quad

President Joe Biden’s first multilateral meeting was to host the Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) in its first meeting of heads of government since it was founded more than a decade ago. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan described the summit of Australia, India, Japan and the U.S. as a “critical part of the architecture of the Indo-Pacific.”

The Quad has been an informal forum, and some observers point out that the members have different agendas and political cultures, but at the moment, they appear united in concern about China’s expansionist foreign policy. And, the Biden administration has clearly made reviving it a top priority.

At the initial session, the members agreed to a vaccine production and distribution strategy in Asia. Will it become a beginning of a coalition capable of addressing a broader agenda of diplomatic, military and economic initiatives? Could climate change, cyber security and military coordination be on a future agenda?

Fortunately for President Biden, the U.S. public has a very favorable view of Quad members with Gallup’s latest poll showing: Japan 84 percent, Australia 88 percent and India 77 percent. Also, in the recent past, China’s favorability in the developed world collapsed and in particular the U.S. (20%, down from 53% in 2018), mostly due to the handling of COVID-19. The administration has public support to get tough on China.

The Quad: President Joe Biden (top left), Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide
Suga, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Prime Minister
Scott Morrison participate in the virtual Quad meeting,
March 12, 2021 | Kiyoshi Ota/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Diplomacy Program: Japan and the U.S.

As the Biden Administration works to reset foreign policy, Asia is now its primary international relations arena. Japan remains a critical ally and attention on China intensifies. With the revival of the Quad group (a coalition involving Japan, India, Australia and the U.S.), Secretary of State visits to allies Japan and South Korea, and an opening exchange with China, an ascending Asia now takes on momentous significance.

In order to explore this development, the Crossley Center for Public Opinion Research’s program on Asian foreign policy is now underway. The speakers’ series, sponsored with the University of Denver’s Josef Korbel School of International Studies and the Consulate-General of Japan in Denver, is in its second year of open dialogue between Japanese and American professors on the Japanese-American alliance and issues surrounding the Indo-Pacific region.

Four panel discussions during the next two weeks will highlight major issues taking place in Asian foreign policy. The program begins on Tuesday, March 23rd, with a dialogue on the impact of sports on international politics – including, of course, the Tokyo Olympics. Next, on Wednesday, March 24th, a panel will take up the challenges of maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region, and will specifically focus on China. On Monday, March 29th, speakers will discuss the newly revived Quad concept that includes Australia, India, Japan and the U.S. The program will conclude on Wednesday, March 31st, with a panel on the U.S.-Japan alliance and defense policy.

Sports and International Politics 

The 2020 Olympics and Paralympic games were postponed for the first time in history due to the coronavirus. But, Japan is committed to the games in the summer of 2021. It is a powerful reminder of the importance countries attach to hosting and participating in international sporting events. Join a conversation on value, importance and impact of the Olympics and international sports on foreign policy with U.S. and Japanese experts.

March 23, 2021 on Zoom 
5:00 pm MT 
REGISTER HERE

Free and Open Indo-Pacific and China 

A free and open Indo-Pacific from the Northern Pacific to India is a diplomatic, economic and national security goal of the U.S., Japan, and their friends and allies around the world. The challenges it faces from China’s broad claims of sovereignty and hostile behavior and aggressive rhetoric witnessed in Hong Kong, Taiwan, the South China Sea and elsewhere is the topic of this panel of experts from the Korbel School and Doshisha University in Kyoto, Japan.

March 24, 2021 on Zoom 
5:00 pm MT 
REGISTER HERE

Free and Open Indo-Pacific: The Quad 

Join a conversation with experts from the U.S. and Japan on the potential for a joint strategy and unified actions on important issues in the Indo-Pacific region. Can Japan, the U.S., Australia and India be a defender of the rule of law and democratic values? 

March 29, 2021 on Zoom 
5:00 pm MT 
REGISTER HERE

U.S. and Japan Alliance and Defense Policy

From the East China Sea to the South China Sea, including Hong Kong and Taiwan, the risk of conflict has increased in recent years. Join a conversation with leading foreign policy experts from Japan and the U.S. on the threats and options for the U.S.-Japan alliance.

March 31, 2021 on Zoom 
5:00 pm MT 
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Tools of the Internet Merged With the Nationalist Right

Twitter was born March 21, 2006 when founder Jack Dorsey sent his first Tweet: “Just setting up my twttr.” Akin to Alexander Graham Bell’s March 10, 1876 call to associate: “Mr. Watson, come here. I want to see you.” Tweets and retweets now reach hundreds of millions.

Ahead of Twitter by two years was Facebook, founded on February 4, 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg and Eduardo Saverin from their Harvard dorms. It became the foundational platform for social media in the 21st century.

Social media, with its tailored, direct connection to individual users, has become the primary tool for creation of a nationalist movement with content, inspiration and talent from the late radio jock Rush Limbaugh (becoming national July 1988, a year after the Fairness Doctrine was repealed and between the two national presidential nominating conventions) and Fox News as it became the right side of cable news launched on October 7, 1996 with Roger Ailes, conservative political consultant, as CEO.

Diplomacy Program: Japan and the U.S.

As the Biden Administration works to reset foreign policy, Asia is now its primary international relations arena. Japan remains a critical ally and attention on China intensifies. With the revival of the Quad group (a coalition involving Japan, India, Australia and the U.S.), Secretary of State visits to allies Japan and South Korea, and an opening exchange with China, an ascending Asia now takes on momentous significance.

In order to explore this development, the Crossley Center for Public Opinion Research’s program on Asian foreign policy is now underway. The speakers’ series, sponsored with the University of Denver’s Josef Korbel School of International Studies and the Consulate-General of Japan in Denver, is in its second year of open dialogue between Japanese and American professors on the Japanese-American alliance and issues surrounding the Indo-Pacific region.

Four panel discussions during the next two weeks will highlight major issues taking place in Asian foreign policy. The program begins on Tuesday, March 23rd, with a dialogue on the impact of sports on international politics – including, of course, the Tokyo Olympics. Next, on Wednesday, March 24th, a panel will take up the challenges of maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region, and will specifically focus on China. On Monday, March 29th, speakers will discuss the newly revived Quad concept that includes Australia, India, Japan and the U.S. The program will conclude on Wednesday, March 31st, with a panel on the U.S.-Japan alliance and defense policy.

Tokyo Needs Its Olympics

Nations fight to host an Olympics, and after an unprecedented one-year delay, Japan intends on the event being a success. In fact, the government’s survival may depend on the game’s success. And for all the effort to revive and manage the games in a pandemic, the Japanese public is not very appreciative. They fear the COVID-19 risk from thousands of visitors and the $25 billion cost. As of the weekend, overseas spectators have been banned.

The Japanese government, like host cities around the world (Paris in 2024), see economic benefit and international prestige. These games will be more virtual than attended, but if the government and Olympics Committee make it a success, there will be much appreciation – the athletes and citizens of the world are ready for it.

Tokyo, Japan | Getty Images

Sports and International Politics – March 23

The 2020 Olympics and Paralympic games were postponed for the first time in history due to the coronavirus. But, Japan is committed to the games in the summer of 2021. It is a powerful reminder of the importance countries attach to hosting and participating in international sporting events. Some questions to consider:

• Olympics – A success for Japan and government or disaster?
• Olympics – A mass participant event? Any spectators?
• Olympics – Generate good will or demonstrations?
• Olympics – Boycott of Beijing?

Join the Crossley Center for Public Opinion Research and the University of Denver’s Josef Korbel School of International Studies for a conversation on value, importance and impact of the Olympics and international sports on foreign policy.

Leading foreign policy experts from the Korbel School and from Doshisha University in Kyoto, Japan will provide analyses on what the games mean for countries, athletes and the world. The program will be moderated by FLOYD CIRULI, director of the Crossley Center.

Join us on Zoom

March 23, 2021

5:00 pm MT

REGISTER HERE

Tokyo, Japan | Getty Images

Register Now! March 23 Zoom Event: Sports And International Politics

The Crossley Center for Public Opinion Research, with the University of Denver’s Josef Korbel School of International Studies and the Consulate-General of Japan in Denver, has been sponsoring a two-year program of open dialogue between Japanese and American professors on the Japanese-American alliance and the Indo-Pacific region.

The 2021 program will begin on March 23 with Sports and International Politics. The Olympics to be held in Japan this summer provides a powerful reminder of the importance countries attach to hosting and participating in international sporting events. Korbel Professor Tim Sisk will join Professor Koji Murata of Doshisha University in Kyoto for analyses of the event and its impact on foreign policy. Also participating will be Korbel School PhD student Chuck Aoki, a decorated Paralympian in wheelchair rugby. 

Join us on Zoom

March 23, 2021

5:00 pm MT

REGISTER HERE

Tokyo, Japan

After One Year of Pandemic, Americans Are Emerging

It was one year ago that America came to realize how serious the coronavirus was and how significantly it would change ways of life. The stock market, being forward looking, registered the seriousness first with a 2011 point drop on March 9, 2020. It was followed by three record-making drops on March 11 (1464), March 12 (2353) and March 16 (2997). Global markets plunged in tandem.

Although the market got former President Trump’s attention, for the public it was not the market or the WHO announcing a pandemic or a presidential speech (both on March 11), it was cancellation on March 12 of the March Madness by the NCAA, followed rapidly by the NHL, NBA and MLB (delay). The day also saw Broadway shows and Disneyland closed (they are beginning to reopen).

Times Square on March 11, 2020 |Ashley Gilbertson/New York Times

Sports are back and many of the arts and entertainment have starting dates. A few areas of the country are pretending there’s no risk from the virus and are fully open (no masks), but most are more cautious.

President Biden is rushing the vaccine distribution and economic help. He’s set a date of July 1 for gathering, but with some precautions.

Polling confirms the general optimism, with a majority of the public (77%) saying the worst has passed (CNN, 3-11-21). But, a majority also are expecting it will be at least a year before life is normal (i.e., pre pandemic activities) and up to two years for the economy to fully recover (Pew Research, 3-11-21).

Crossley Center for Public Opinion Research: Report on Discussions in Diplomacy Program with Japanese Professors

Free and Open Indo-Pacific a Top U.S. Foreign Policy Challenge

Although the Biden administration is, of course, focused on the domestic challenges of the pandemic and economy, a critical issue that will demand its attention for the foreseeable future is ensuring a “free and open Indo-Pacific.”

The Crossley Center for Public Opinion Research, with the University of Denver’s Josef Korbel School of International Studies and the Consulate-General of Japan in Denver, has been sponsoring a two-year program of open dialogue between Japanese and American professors on the Japanese-American alliance and the Indo-Pacific region.

The program began just before the pandemic took hold in March 2020 and continued through the fall and winter on Zoom. The four programs held thus far include:

• “Japan-China-U.S. and Japan’s vision for the Indo-Pacific.” Feb. 4, 2020. Participants: Minister Noriyuki Shikata, Prof. Suisheng Zhao, Dean Fritz Mayer (intro and discussant) and Prof. Floyd Ciruli (moderator)
•  “Japan-U.S. Alliance and the 2020 Election.” March 2-3, 2020. Participants: Prof. Koji Murata, Researcher Dina Smeltz, Prof. Suisheng Zhao, Amb. Christopher Hill, Dean Fritz Mayer (welcome) and Prof. Floyd Ciruli (moderator)
• “Foreign Policy Impact of Election: U.S. and Japan.” Nov. 11, 2020. Participants: Prof. Toshihiro Nakayama, Amb. Chris Hill and Prof. Floyd Ciruli (moderator)
•  “The United Nations: Japan and U.S. in the Suga, Biden Era.” Dec. 9, 2020. Participants: Prof. Tim Sisk, Prof. Akiko Fukushima and Prof. Floyd Ciruli (moderator)

“Do you miss me yet?” No!

Former President Donald Trump began his CPAC speech with one of his rhetorical questions about how much he’s missed. Trump has always been needy about being loved, or at least judged as entertaining. But, a number of new polls suggest the American people have moved on to less entertainment and more accomplishment on the virus and the economy.

Former President Donald Trump addresses the Conservative Political Action
Conference, Orlando, Florida, Feb. 28, 2021 |  Joe Raedle/Getty Images

President Joe Biden, who is much less a daily media presence in online or mainstream media, has a win in his first 50 days greater in size and reach than Trump or former Presidents Obama or Clinton. He’s also getting high credit for his unprovocative tone.

The Associated Press’s latest poll with NORC (Feb. 25-March 1, 2021) is headlined, “President Biden’s Honeymoon Continues.” Biden received high grades for overall performance (60% approval) and specifically for handling the pandemic (70%), health care (58%), race relations (61%) and the economy (55%). Although Republicans were mostly negative, even they gave Biden 44 percent support on dealing with the pandemic.

But most importantly, independents, who are the voters that swing approval ratings positive or negative and seldom offered Trump support, are consistently on the positive side for Biden (independents for Biden overall – 57%, pandemic – 61%, health care – 58%, race relations – 57% and the economy – 56%).

And finally, a measure of the longing for a Trump comeback at this point is the change in voter sentiment over the country’s direction. Today, a high of 48 percent say the country is heading in the right direction, up from 27 percent in September before the election.

CNN Says Ten Competitive Senate Seats in 2022, Bennet Not Much

The senate races of 2022 will be a battle for control of the evenly divided body. Democrats will be at risk in an off-year election that historically are difficult for the party newly holding the White House.

A recent analysis by CNN lists the 2022 senate seats by their expected level of competition, and Michael Bennet is considered safe. The top ten seats are divided evenly between the two parties. The Cook Report agrees.

Democrats want to hold what they have and possibly add the open seats in Pennsylvania and North Carolina or defeat hyper-conservative incumbent Ron Johnson of Wisconsin. Democrats have a number of vulnerable seats up, but are most concerned about winning a repeat of the Georgia race for newly elected Senator Warnock.

Based on recent voter behavior in Colorado and the Republican Party’s post 2020 disarray, none of the national observers believe Michael Bennet is above tenth on the list of ten most vulnerable seats.

See Colorado Politics: Is Michael Bennet Safe or is 2022 an Upset Year?

First Presidential Primary Poll Has Pence and DeSantis Tied (After Trump)

Not surprising, in a credible Republican national poll of March 2, 2021, Donald Trump has only a narrow majority (51%) among Republican voters, but still dominates the field, with Mike Pence (9%) and Ron DeSantis (7%) in second and third. Among the remaining non-Trump voters, Nikki Haley (6%), Mitt Romney (5%) and Ted Cruz (3%) trail. 

Trump voters when asked their second-place choice, Pence (22%) and DeSantis (22%) tied for the lead. Cruz comes in a close third at 19 percent. Well back in single digits are Mike Pompeo (5%), Haley (5%) and Kristi Noem (4%). 

When all Republicans were asked who they support without Trump as a candidate, Pence (19%), DeSantis (17%) and Cruz (13%) still lead the field. Let the race begin.

Read Politico: DeSantis and Pence Tied in New Poll of Trump Voters

Baby Boomers Are Now Conservatives Compared to Generation Z

A new poll from Ipsos shows that Baby Boomers, who from the mid-1960s were the generation of political and cultural change and activism, now represent the conservative norms compared to the newest Generation Z and Millennials (groups about 40 years old and younger). 

When asked about sexual orientation, 84 percent of Baby Boomers (aged 56 to 74) said “only attracted to opposite sex,” but only 52 percent of the new Generation Z (23 years old and younger) agreed and 42 percent said attraction is to same, both or not exclusively the opposite sex. Millennials (24 to 40 years old) were also more likely to express less exclusive attraction to the opposite sex.

With gay marriage and transsexual rights generating considerable political controversy, age will be a major predictor of behavior and attitudes. 

Russian Aggression a Challenge for Biden

Seven years after Russia, under President Vladimir Putin’s leadership, seized the Crimea (Feb. 27, 2014), the Biden White House issued a statement defining U.S. policy adopted in concert with European allies that:

“The United States does not and will never recognize Russia’s purported annexation of the peninsula, and we will stand with Ukraine against Russia’s aggressive acts.”

The Crimea annexation and Ukraine attack was part of an exceptionally low point in the Barack Obama presidency. The failure to take action over Labor Day in 2013 related to Syria’s use of chemical weapons was generally judged a strategic failure and American intelligence and diplomats appeared unprepared for the Ukraine crisis. Secretary of State Kerry misjudged Russian intentions, repeatedly offering an off-ramp to Foreign Minister Lavrov, who was looking for the fast lane. ISIS was also beginning to form in Syria and parts of Iraq that would draw the U.S. back in after the 2011 withdrawal of forces.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, center; Defense Minister Sergei
Shoigu, left;  and the commander of the Western Military District
Anatoly Sidorov, right, March 3, 2014 | Photo: AP

Russian aggression against democracy has accelerated since then with election interference where possible and frequent hacks of national security infrastructure. Also, it’s clear the Putin and United Russia model of authoritarian leadership is not going away as opponents and demonstrators are swept away and locked up when possible.

President Biden and Secretary Blinken should be ready for more Russian challenges to the West and specifically the U.S.

See blogs:
Obama’s Foreign Policy in Trouble
The Limits of War
American Disengagement
We Are Not Disengaging
Putin’s Lectures
Clinton Moves Right on Russia

Congresspersons Greene and Newman Confrontation Highlights National Divisions on Transgender Identity

Marjorie Taylor Greene doesn’t support transgender equality legislation in Congress, and offices across from Marie Newman, who does and has a transgender child. They are now participating in a battle of signs and flags outside their offices expressing their views. Newman’s transgender pink and blue flag was met by Greene’s “There are TWO genders MALE & FEMALE...Trust the Science.”

A new poll captures the partisan differences among the American public on the concept of transgender identity. Half the public agrees strongly that there are only two genders – male and female – but it varies greatly by party.

Democrats are nearly evenly divided between “strong agreement” and “strong disagreement” whereas Republicans have mostly traditional values on the issue. Will the attitude evolve in the next several years similar to acceptance of gay marriage?

There is considerable supportive messaging for transgender rights, including in the Biden administration. Also, Millennials and Generation Zs are much more liberal on gender issues and are beginning to shift public opinion.

Trump Could Have Won

An examination of the 2020 election results makes clear Donald Trump may have been swamped in the popular vote, but nearly won the electoral vote.

Trump’s final charge got the vote razor thin in several states. Joe Biden only carried Arizona by 10,457, Georgia by 11,779 and Wisconsin by 20,662.

The factors that appear to have made the difference:

• Trump’s poor rating on managing the coronavirus was slightly more important than his good scores on the economy.
• Trump’s personality flaws, which dampened his voter approval for four years, combined with his inability to damage Biden’s reputation with attacks and scandals.
• Trump’s final Election Day surge was matched by Biden’s mail and early votes.
• A small libertarian vote, which he did not get in Wisconsin, Georgia or Arizona, could have made a difference.

Dr. Nampalli Vijay Retires

Nampalli Vijay, MD

Aurora Denver Cardiology just saw one of the region’s best cardiologists retire after more than 45 years of service. Nampalli Vijay has treated patients, trained students and mentored fellow physicians for decades. He graduated from Gandhi Medical College in 1963 and he followed India’s cricket. Nampalli offered clear explanations and high quality coronary services with a distinctive British accent. He was a treasure of talent and good will. He made us all healthier and extended the life of many. Thanks, Nampalli.

See blog: Dr. Richard Parker Retires

Biden Holds His Approval

Joe Biden’s focus on the virus and general effort to lower the temperature in Washington are getting favorable reviews in the polls and with the public. As of March 1st, slightly over 30 days into his presidency, Biden is holding his approval level at 54 percent, one point down from his opening approval on January 28 of 55 percent. Disapproval moved up from 37 percent to 40 percent. Four years ago at this point, Donald Trump’s approval was 10 points lower (44%) and disapproval 10 points higher (50%) in the RealClearPolitics average.

Numerous polls show Biden’s relief package is a high priority for the public and highly supported. One interesting new poll of battleground state swing voters (Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin) reports 66 percent are concerned government won’t do enough in the relief package and 72 percent want to help as many as possible as quickly as possible. The poll notes that it doesn’t affect their level of approval if Republicans don’t support the legislation. Voters want Biden to treat Republicans with respect, not necessarily defer to their viewpoint.

As of now, Biden is winning with the relief package without Republicans.

See blogs:
Biden’s Opening Approval 55%; Trump’s 44%
Biden has a Honeymoon

Electoral and Popular Vote Drifting Out of Alignment

The Bush vs. Gore fight in 2000 highlighted a U.S. presidential election anomaly that was thought rare. But, it was just a minor forerunner to the massive misalignment in 2016, from 544,000 votes in 2000 to 2.9 million in 2016. 

And even in 2020 where the popular vote winner won the electoral vote, the 7 million popular vote advantage only provided a 44,000 vote cushion in three states – Arizona, Georgia and Wisconsin – to secure Joe Biden’s narrow Electoral College win over Donald Trump. The dysfunctional system has become a part of Trump’s claim that the 2.9 million votes he lost in 2016 were undocumented citizens and, of course, the “Big Lie” in 2020 that 7 million votes were fraudulently obtained.