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Biden Viewed Favorably In Grinnell Poll, Democracy Doesn't Fare As Well

President Joe Biden delivers a speech on infrastructure spending at Carpenters Pittsburgh Training Center, Wednesday, March 31, 2021, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Evan Vucci/AP
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AP
President Joe Biden delivers a speech on infrastructure spending at Carpenters Pittsburgh Training Center, Wednesday, March 31, 2021, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

A new Grinnell College National Poll shows President Joe Biden has two assets moving into the third month of his presidency. He is viewed as trustworthy by a majority of Americans and favorably by a plurality.

But, American democracy doesn't fare as well.

While most Americans highly value the basic principles associated with democracy, (freedom of speech, the peaceful transfer of power and equal treatment regardless of race or religion) they don't believe these principles are being upheld. The majority of Americans see the state of race relations as mostly bad, regardless of party. And confidence in our elections has plummeted, especially among Republicans.

In this edition of River to River, host Ben Kieffer talks with Peter Hanson, poll director and associate professor of political science at Grinnell College and Danielle Lussier, associate professor of political science at Grinnell about the findings and their implications.

Guests:
Peter Hanson, director of the Grinnell College National Poll and associate professor of political science at Grinnell College
Danielle Lussier, associate professor of political science at Grinnell College

Ben Kieffer is the host of IPR's River to River
Katherine Perkins is IPR's Program Director for News and Talk
Rick Brewer was a producer for IPR's Talk of Iowa and River to River