Cost of living, economy are the most important issue in midterms

The cost of living and the economy are the most important issues for Americans ahead of this year's midterm election, still out of the way of abortion despite the leak of a majority of the opinion that would overturn Roe v. Wade.

Twenty-two percent of Americans ranked cost of living as the most important issue in the midterms, with jobs and the economy coming in second place at 18%, according to the results of an NBC News poll released Sunday.

President Biden, who has scored low approval numbers in both categories, may be worried by the poll. Only 33% of the polled approves of the president's handling of the economy, while only 23% approve of Biden's handling of the cost of living.

The two top issues have remained unchanged since the last NBC News poll in March, despite some speculation that the draft ruling could overturn Roe, leading to a boost for Democrats ahead of the election. Abortion saw a bounce in those that indicated that it is the most important issue to them, but still ranks behind Russia's war in Ukraine, voting rights and election integrity, climate change, taxes and spending, border security and immigration, and coronaviruses.

Biden's approval rating fell to 39%, which was the lowest of his presidency in the NBC News poll. Fifty-six percent of Americans disapprove of the president's job performance.

More troublesome is the fact that 75% of Americans believe the country is headed in the wrong direction, with 75% of Americans saying the country is on the wrong track. Bill McInturff, of Public Opinion Strategies, a Republican pollster who conducted the poll alongside Democratic pollster Jeff Horwitt of Hart Research Associates, said it was a flashing red light when you see a number like this.

Americans are telling us this is as bad as 2008, McInturff said.