Poll: Perception of Biden steady despite new spotlight

Americans remain divided on their perception of Vice President Biden, despite his increasingly prominent role in the administration's negotiations over the "fiscal cliff" and gun control.

An equal number of Americans — 42 percent — have both favorable and unfavorable views of the vice president, according to a survey released Monday by Pew Research. That's virtually unchanged from late October, when Biden held a 44-42 percent favorability advantage, and evidence that the vice president has not shared in Obama's post-election popularity spike.

Unsurprisingly, Biden polls best with Democrats, three-quarters of whom say they have a favorable view of the vice president. By contrast, 77 percent of Republicans see Biden in a negative light.

Independents trend slightly against the vice president, with a plurality — 42 percent — viewing him unfavorably, while 36 percent reported a positive view of his tenure.

Gun owners are more likely to view Biden skeptically, with six in 10 saying they had an unfavorable opinion. President Obama tasked Biden with heading a working group that will present proposals aimed at eliminating gun violence this week in the aftermath of the Newtown, Conn., elementary school massacre. Among those who do not own a gun, a majority — 52 percent — see Biden favorably.

The split is even more dramatic among proponents and opponents of further gun control measures. While 63 percent who believe in prioritizing gun ownership disapprove of Biden, six in 10 of those who say the country should prioritize gun control approve of his vice presidency.

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