Poll shows third-party candidate may potentially fair in US elections

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
20 Jul 2023 20:47

In the Democratic nomination, Biden is not facing major competition, and neither is Trump who is currently standing as the GOP frontrunner.

No Labels, which held the 2011 event seen above in Washington, is working to gain ballot access for a potential independent presidential bid in 2024. (AP)

A report by Bloomberg on Wednesday revealed, citing results from a poll conducted by Quinnipiac University, that the next presidential elections could present a third-party candidate that is likely to impact a possible rematch between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump.

According to the poll results, nearly half of eligible voters, namely 47% of polled individuals, said they would consider voting for a third-party candidate for the next presidential elections.

As of late, the No Labels adovacy group has attracted considerable amount of attention as it is actively contemplating the possibility of fielding a candidate.

Earlier this week, West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin appeared at a No Labels event in New Hampshire, increasing speculation he could be selected as the group's candidate.

In the Democratic nomination, Biden is not facing major competition. Neither is Trump who is currently standing as the GOP frontrunner.

But the prospects of a third party are fueling speculation that Biden may face some serious challenges ahead of the elections as voters who dislike both Trump and Biden tend to be Democrats or Democratic-leaning independents.

"This Quinnipiac poll is telling the same story other polls have told for months: There is an unprecedented opening for an independent ticket in 2024," said No Labels spokeswoman Maryanne Martini.

According to Quinnipiac pollster Tim Malloy, the poll results are "a vivid indication that for many voters, the status quo is a no-go."

Over the past year, several Democratic congressmen have voiced concerns that Biden may no longer be fit to run for the next elections due to his old age.

"He’s a president of great competence and success, I admire the heck out of President Biden," Rep. Dean Phillips told Politico in February, "and if he were 15-20 years younger it would be a no-brainer to nominate him, but considering his age, it’s absurd we’re not promoting competition but trying to extinguish it."

A poll conducted by CNN/SSRS in June revealed that 36% of US citizens who were sampled do not consider either incumbent Biden or Trump as favorable presidential candidates in the 2024 US presidential elections.

The poll, which was published on June 20 and surveyed 1,350 US adults, indicated that 33% still preferred Trump over Biden, while 32% supported Biden over Trump if they had to make such a decision.