Is Biden preoccupied with the war in Ukraine?

Speaking Security Newsletter | Advisory Note for Activists and Candidates, n°157 | 5 May 2022

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Situation

Joe Biden’s approval ratings are bad and seem to be getting worse. As far as domestic policy goes, recent polling suggests that many voters don't know what Biden is supposed to be good at. Moreover, White House officials are concerned that voters see Biden as increasingly preoccupied with the conflict in Ukraine at the expense of focusing on addressing problems right here at home.

Analysis

White House officials are right to worry about Biden appearing preoccupied because the preoccupation is real, at least when looking at all of the presidential directives (excluding ceremonial proclamations) Biden’s issued so far in his presidency.

Comparing this year to last year, Biden has significantly increased executive actions related to the conflict in Ukraine (understandable) but has significantly slowed his roll on administering ones for everything else (not understandable). While half the directives Biden issued in 2021 pertain to domestic policy, less than a third authorized from January to April 2022 do. Conversely, directives on Russia and/or Ukraine made up 2% of all directives issued in 2021, but 36% of the ones issued through the first four months of 2022.

-Stephen (@stephensemler; stephen@securityreform.org)

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