By Amid growing dissatisfaction, the poll highlights Biden’s declining favorability just months ahead of the crucial 2024 presidential elections.
In a significant shift in political winds, former President Donald Trump has surged ahead of President Joe Biden, according to a recent New York Times/Siena College poll. The poll, which comes as a stark warning to Democrats just nine months before the 2024 presidential elections, shows Trump with a 4 percent lead over Biden among likely voters.
The poll, released Saturday, indicates that 48 percent of likely voters would cast their ballot for Trump if the election were held today, compared to 44 percent for Biden. Among registered voters, Trump’s support remains strong at 48 percent, while Biden lags behind at 43 percent.
In a hypothetical match-up against Nikki Haley, Trump’s primary GOP rival, the results are even more telling. Haley leads Biden by a significant margin, with 46 percent of respondents favoring her over Biden’s 37 percent. This data points to an undeniable enthusiasm gap and a growing preference for Republican leadership.
The poll underscores a noticeable downswing in Biden’s favorability, a troubling sign for the incumbent president. Biden’s presidency, marred by concerns over his age, his administration’s handling of immigration issues, and frustration over the war in Gaza, has seen his disapproval rating hit a new high. A worrying 47 percent of likely voters now express strong disapproval of Biden’s leadership, the highest disapproval rate recorded in the New York Times/Siena College poll during his term.
However, both Biden and Trump face challenges in terms of public perception. Trump’s net favorability stands at 44 percent, slightly higher than Biden’s 41 percent. This indicates a political landscape marked by deep divisions and a search for strong leadership.
The poll also highlights a rift within the Democratic base regarding Biden’s candidacy. Democratic voters are almost evenly split on whether Biden should be the party’s nominee, with 48 percent in favor and 43 percent against. This division raises questions about the Democratic Party’s direction and its ability to rally support as the election nears.
Conducted from February 25-28 among 980 registered voters nationwide, the poll utilized both cell phones and landlines to capture a broad cross-section of American voters. The margin of error stands at 3.8 percent for likely voters, emphasizing the competitive nature of the upcoming presidential race.
As the 2024 elections approach, this poll is a clear signal of shifting voter sentiments and the challenges facing the Biden administration. With Trump leading in the polls, the Republican Party appears poised to capitalize on growing discontent with the current administration, setting the stage for a highly contested presidential race.
