Biden scrambles as Republicans lead midterms charge

A desperate Joe Biden has decided to focus on the economy in late campaigning for the crucial midterm elections as polls show his Democrats face a heavy defeat. But, according to an exclusive survey for Express.co.uk, voters have lost confidence in Biden’s handling of the economy.The findings from the Washington DC based Democracy Institute reveal that 31 percent put inflation and the cost of living as their number one issue with economy and jobs in second place.But the Republicans have a plus 22 percent lead on inflation and plus 14 percent lead on the economy.Meanwhile, 70 percent believe the US is heading for recession while 47 percent to 43 percent think the Democrat are more concerned with the wealthy elites.The poll reveals that 65 percent disapprove of Biden’s handling of the economy, 62 percent think his anti inflation measures won’t work and 55 percent believe Trump was a better President. Joe Biden has decided to focus on the economy in late campaigning for the midterm elections (Image: GETTY) Democracy Institute held 31 percent put inflation and the cost of living as their No.1 issue (Image: DEMOCRACY INSTITUTE)It comes as Biden travels to Syracuse, New York, on Thursday and to Philadelphia on Friday in a late bid to win votes in key swing states facing a result which could give the Republicans majorities in the House of Representatives and SenateDemocratic officials offer an optimistic outlook when pressed publicly on the expectations going into midterm election day on November 8.However, there is understood to be private concern of an unstoppable late Republican charge.READ MORE: Biden braces for ‘red wave’ in midterms as high inflation grips US Democracy Institute also held 65 percent disapprove of Biden’s handling of the economy (Image: DEMOCRACY INSTITUTE) The poll also found 70 percent believe the US is heading for recession (Image: DEMOCRACY INSTITUTE)In a visit on Monday at the Democratic National Committee headquarters, Washington DC, Biden warned Republican economic plans would cause chaos.The President said: ‘Republicans are determined to hold the economy hostage.”There is nothing that would create more chaos … Republicans are going to crash the economy.’GOP spokesperson Emma Vaugh said in response: ‘Voters know Democrat control of Washington delivered higher prices, more crime, and a nation headed in the wrong direction.’DON’T MISSBiden ‘appreciates’ Americans are frustrated as midterm elections loomNew York governor race tightens as crime dominates debateUS voters worry of violence and intimidation at midterm elections Joe Biden will travel to Syracuse, New York in a late bid to win votes in swing states (Image: GETTY) Democrats have called for the party and Biden to be ‘more aggressive’ on the economy (Image: GETTY)Some Democrats have raised fears that voters aren’t crediting economic growth in their communities to the Democratic-controlled Government.Representative Ro Khanna, Democrat for California, said: ‘I think we have to be far more aggressive.’We’re actually bringing jobs back, but we’re not going out enough and acknowledging people’s anger and fear and say, ‘Here’s what we’re doing.”Former Democrat candidate for President Bernie Sangers slammed his party as letting ‘Republicans win the messaging war over the economy’.In an interview with Vanity Fair, the Vermont Senator said: ‘It bothers me, bothers me very much that Republicans in poll after poll are actually leading in terms of how people feel each party will respond to the economy, when in fact the Republicans have nothing to say for working families on the economy.’To my mind, when you have a reactionary Republican Party that is taking huge amounts of money from billionaires, I think we go after them on the economy and contrast our positions.’