Pritzker downplays Biden's poor polling, says 2024 will be race against 'MAGA Republicans'

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, one of President Joe Biden's top surrogates, on Sunday downplayed Biden's continued poor polling ahead of a likely rematch with former President Donald Trump in the 2024 race.

Pritzker's comments come after a new ABC News/Ipsos survey found Biden's approval rating sitting at a meager 33%, with the public reporting widespread economic discontent.

«Things are getting better in this country — and over the course of an election year, as the economy continues to improve, you're gonna see poll numbers improve too,» the governor told ABC News «This Week» co-anchor Jonathan Karl.

«I think your poll is a bit of an outlier, but here's what I'll tell you: This battle hasn't even been joined yet. You've got a bunch of Republicans, MAGA Republicans, espousing things that are not good for the American public that are on the stage now,» Pritzker added. «And it's not until they choose a nominee will we truly be in this battle. And then it's a choice.»

Biden and allies like Pritzker have increasingly sought to cast the next presidential race as a referendum on Trump, highlighting issues like Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election and his support for abortion restrictions.

Republicans say the White House's record shows failures on immigration, inflation and more.

«The truth of the matter is, this [the 2024 election] is going to be won among independents, and independents understand that, as Democrats do, that it's the Republicans that are trying to take your freedoms away,» Pritzker argued on Sunday.

Asked about Trump choosing not to sign a voluntary candidate pledge in Illinois that he would not advocate for overthrowing the government — which many other candidates sign — Pritzker said it was more evidence of