WASHINGTON D.C.: In a new NBC News poll, 70 percent of Americans expressed a lack of confidence in the ability of President Joe Biden to properly handle Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, while 80 percent voiced concern that the war will increase gas prices and potentially involve nuclear weapons.

During the highest jump in inflation in the U.S. in 40 years, most respondents said they believe the country is going in the wrong direction and disapproved of the president’s handling of the economy.

The new national NBC News poll found that Biden’s overall job approval rating had dropped to 40 percent, the lowest level of his presidency, and also found that Republicans enjoyed a 2-point lead in controlling Congress, ahead of November’s midterm elections.

Republican pollster Bill McInturff of Public Opinions Strategy, who conducted the survey with Democratic pollster Jeff Horwitt of Hart Research Associates, noted, “What this poll says is that President Biden and Democrats are headed for a catastrophic election,” as reported by NBC News.

The poll was conducted from 18th to 22nd March before Biden met with NATO allies, visited U.S. troops in Poland, and delivered a major speech about Russia’s war in Ukraine.

However, the survey does offer a number of silver linings for Biden and the Democrats, including an increase in those who approved of his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, nearly 80 percent of Americans said they agree with Biden’s decision to ban Russian oil imports, despite potentially increasing gas prices.

But Horwitt, the Democratic pollster, said what stands out in the NBC News poll is that the public has yet to rally around Biden as a result of the war in Ukraine, with 40 percent of adults approving of Biden’s performance, and 55 percent disapproving, the lowest mark of his presidency in the poll.

“You cannot get down to the low 40s in presidential approval unless you have strained your own base,” GOP pollster McInturff said.

In addition, approval of Biden’s handling of the economy is declining amidst the surge in the cost of living, which has become the most important issue in the poll.

Some 62 percent of respondents said their household incomes are falling behind the cost of living, 31 percent said they are staying even, and 6 percent said their incomes are higher than the cost of living.

Asked about who to blame the most for increasing inflation, 38 percent pointed the finger at Biden and his policies, with Republican respondents making up the bulk of those with this view.

Regarding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, 83 percent said they are concerned that the war is increasing the cost of goods and services, such as gasoline, 82 percent said they are concerned that the war will involve nuclear weapons, and 74 percent said they are concerned that the U.S. will send combat troops to Ukraine, while 57 percent of respondents said they believe the U.S. is either already at war with Russia or that it will be within the next year.

Democratic pollster Horwitt added, “Americans were looking for greater certainty and stability after the 2020 election. Whether it is at home or abroad, these expectations have not been met.”

Regarding November’s midterm elections, the NBC News poll found 46 percent of registered voters prefer a Republican-controlled Congress, compared to 44 percent who preferred the Democrats.