Trump takes slight lead over Biden in USA Today poll

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
13 Mar 2024 19:57

The latest presidential race poll highlights growing disdain among US voters when it comes to top candidates Biden and Trump.

Then US President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential candidate and current President Joe Biden exchange points during the first presidential debate, at Case Western University and Cleveland Clinic, in Cleveland, Ohio, the United States, on September 29, 2020. (AP)

Former United States President Donald Trump has taken a slight lead over his successor, President Joe Biden, in the latest presidential race poll conducted by USA Today and Suffolk University.

According to the findings released on Wednesday, Trump has garnered 40% support among respondents, narrowly edging out Biden, who stands at 38%. The number underscores the intense competition between the two candidates as they gear up for the upcoming election.

Partisan divisions are evident in the survey results, with 81% of Democrats backing Biden. However, a notable 5% remains undecided, reflecting some uncertainty within the party ranks, amid several controversial domestic and foreign policies practiced by the Biden administration, including the backing of the Israeli war on Gaza.

Meanwhile, Republicans overwhelmingly support Trump, with 85% throwing their weight behind the former president.

Notably, a fraction of respondents are exploring alternative options, with 6% of Democrats considering third-party candidates and 6% of Republicans showing support for Robert Kennedy.

Interestingly, the motivations behind support for the candidates vary. While 54% of Biden supporters are voting in favor of his candidacy, a significant 41% are driven primarily by opposition to Trump.

The survey also highlights a segment of the electorate not convinced with both major candidates, comprising 15% of potential voters.

The poll, conducted via telephone interviews with 1,000 registered voters from March 8 to 11, provides valuable insights into the evolving dynamics of the US presidential race. The large portion of voters that have expressed dissatisfaction with the favored bipartisan candidates shows growing frustration with the US political elite.

Biden, Trump secure rematch

Earlier on Wednesday, President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump secured their respective parties' presidential nominations on Tuesday through significant victories in several primaries, paving the way for a general election rematch that isn't favored by many voters.

The results in Georgia, Mississippi, and Washington states were predictable, with neither Biden nor Trump facing substantial challenges. However, the overwhelming margin of their victories ensured that each candidate obtained the necessary delegate majority to secure their party's nomination at the upcoming national conventions.

Before reaching the midpoint of the presidential primary calendar, Tuesday represented a pivotal moment for a country grappling with its options in 2024.

It is now evident that the upcoming fall election will see a repeat match between two widely unpopular presidents. At 81, Biden holds the distinction of being the oldest President in US history, while Trump, aged 77, faces potential decades in prison as a defendant in four criminal cases.