Trump Gains Lead In Undesirable Rematch Against Biden

In a Reuters/Ipsos poll, Donald Trump leads Democratic President Joe Biden by six percentage points, reflecting public dissatisfaction with the prospect of an election rematch. The nationwide survey of 1,250 US adults revealed Trump leading Biden 40% to 34%, with the remaining respondents undecided, planning to vote for someone else, or not voting at all. This marks a gain for Trump compared to an earlier poll this month, where both candidates were tied. However, it’s crucial to note that national surveys may not fully capture the nuances of the electoral college contest that unfolds in key states.

The poll indicated a shift in favor of Trump, coinciding with his victory in the New Hampshire primary, where he decisively defeated his primary challenger, Nikki Haley. Despite 67% of respondents expressing fatigue with familiar presidential candidates and a desire for new faces, only 18% indicated they would abstain from voting if faced with a choice between Biden and Trump.

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Trump’s lead persisted even when considering third-party candidates, with options including anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. In this scenario, Trump garnered 36% support, Biden 30%, and Kennedy 8%.

Approximately half of the respondents expressed dissatisfaction with the two-party system, with only 25% indicating satisfaction. This discontent was reflected in sentiments favoring alternatives, as some respondents considered third-party options due to dissatisfaction with polarizing figures dominating the front seat in the current system.

The poll revealed dissatisfaction with both Biden and Trump, with 70% agreeing that Biden should not seek re-election, and 56% expressing the same sentiment about Trump. Age emerged as a significant concern, with 75% believing Biden was too old for government work, and 50% expressing the same view about Trump. The dissatisfaction with their choices is evident, as 70% of respondents, including half of Democrats, felt Biden should not run again, and 56% held a similar view about Trump.

Despite Haley’s efforts to capitalize on dissatisfaction, the poll showed Trump with a substantial lead of 64% to 19% over Haley in their upcoming Republican nomination contest in South Carolina.

The poll indicates a complex landscape of voter sentiments, with dissatisfaction, age concerns, and a desire for new faces shaping opinions. The upcoming election cycle may witness significant shifts, driven by factors such as political developments, candidate strategies, and voter sentiments toward the two-party system.