Days after President Joe Biden came to Virginia to target Governor Youngkin by name and attack his commonsense agenda, the Washington Examiner reported on new polling that shows just how puzzling the strategy is for Virginia Democrats to bring in Biden to campaign on their behalf. 

“According to new data from Founders Insight, 58% of Virginians approve of Youngkin's job as governor. However, less than half, 44%, approve of Biden's job as president. Among independents, Youngkin's approval is even higher, at 65%,” the Washington Examiner reports. 

“’Governor Youngkin's overall approval rating remains in the upper 50's but [what] may be more interesting is that he is enjoying sky-high approval amongst independents with 65% saying they approve of the job he's doing as governor compared to 45% of independents saying the same about President Biden.’”

The new reporting comes after Biden, speaking to a room full of out-of-touch Virginia Democrats, said “I want to make it clear the real reason I’m here... I want you to know I’m going to do everything I can to raise as much money for you guys — we’ve already done a fair amount — making sure that you guys win.”

After frantic calls to the White House for more to be done to stop Governor Youngkin and Virginia Republicans, Joe Biden directed the DNC to pour $1.5 million into the General Assembly elections. Joe Biden promised to “lead the charge” against Youngkin and “do more” to prop up extreme Virginia Democrats, who lack any vision for the Commonwealth in this election.
 

The Biden Administration’s failed agenda in Washington, D.C. stands in stark contrast to the successful policies Youngkin has enacted as Virginia’s Governor.
 

While Joe Biden has presided over persistent nationwide inflation and has enacted policies that have made the cost of living unaffordable for too many Americans, Youngkin’s agenda has lifted the economy and fostered job growth in Virginia. 

More than 220,000 Virginians are working today compared to when Youngkin took office and there are more Virginians working than ever before. Youngkin has also delivered $5 billion in tax relief since taking office, easing the burden of inflation and ensuring Virginia families are able to keep more of their hard-earned money. 

According to recent polling, inflation remains the top issue for voters in Virginia’s elections as 74% of Virginians say they have reduced their spending due to the rising national cost of living.

Washington Examiner: Biden wades into Virginia races, but Youngkin is more popular 

By Julia Johnson

Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-VA) enjoys a significantly higher approval rating among Virginians than President Joe Biden, something that could play a role in the commonwealth's statewide elections in November... According to new data from Founders Insight, 58% of Virginians approve of Youngkin's job as governor. However, less than half, 44%, approve of Biden's job as president. Among independents, Youngkin's approval is even higher, at 65%.

Biden's approval among independents is roughly the same as his overall approval, at 45%.

Founders Insight's Executive Director Parker Slaybaugh broke down the data, saying in a statement: "Governor Youngkin's overall approval rating remains in the upper 50's but [what] may be more interesting is that he is enjoying sky-high approval amongst independents with 65% saying they approve of the job he's doing as governor compared to 45% of independents saying the same about President Biden."

"For the House and Senate elections here in Virginia, we are seeing traditional Republicans and traditional Democrats siding primarily with their respective nominee. However, a larger number of independent voters remain undecided and how they feel about current leadership in Virginia compared to at the federal level could play a major role in who controls the Virginia House and Senate," Slaybaugh said.

Speaking at a campaign event in McLean, Virginia, last week, Biden mentioned Youngkin by name, telling attendees, "Here in Virginia, the stakes have never been higher."

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This comes as Youngkin and his associated PAC, Spirit of Virginia, have been going all in on a campaign to register voters and promote early and absentee voting. In July, the governor announced the launch of an online portal called "Secure Your Vote Virginia." The site provides visitors with important information about absentee voting as well as deadlines. Following the portal's launch, Youngkin penned an op-ed on the importance of early voting for the GOP.

Most recently, the PAC announced a bus tour across Virginia with the governor. The tour launched on Labor Day and will travel throughout the commonwealth, urging people to vote Republican and to do so through early or absentee voting.

Following the news that Biden had waded into Virginia's elections, Spirit of Virginia Chairman Dave Rexrode said: “Virginia Democrats are panicking because they have no vision for the Commonwealth to offer voters and their extreme positions are out of step with Virginians."

"Bringing Joe Biden and Kamala Harris into Virginia to target Gov. Youngkin by name and attack his popular agenda is not the winning strategy they think it is. We welcome the contrast between Gov. Youngkin’s commonsense agenda and the failures of the Biden-Harris administration," he said.

According to Republican strategists, Youngkin's energy, partnered with his ability to communicate his position on pivotal topics, has led to an unforeseen popularity in Virginia. At one point thought of as a strictly blue state, Democrats have begun to worry that significant losses are on the table in Virginia. Both state and national Democrats have thus kickstarted efforts to counter Youngkin's work rallying Republicans and independents.

"Youngkin is energetic, has been able to deliver bipartisan results, and is on the right side of issues (crime, parental rights, school choice) without seeming to be crazy," GOP strategist John Feehery said. "He is also not really seen as a culture warrior but is delivering solid results for the conservative movement."

According to fellow strategist Ron Bonjean, “Gov. Youngkin has helped to put the Virginia General Assembly in play in a state that the Democrats were counting on turning blue." 

Last month, Virginia's senators sounded the alarm over this, claiming national Democrats weren't as worried as they should be. “We may be battleground leaning blue, but we’re not a blue state,” Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) said. “And that means electoral votes have to be fought for every year.”

Following Kaine's remark, it was announced that Biden directed the Democratic National Committee to sink an additional $1.2 million into Democratic efforts in the commonwealth. The party's total investment in the state this year is $1.5 million, notably a staggering 15 times more than the last similar election four years ago.

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