Former President Donald Trump Leads in Comparison to President Biden, According to Voters
In a surprising turn of events, former President Donald Trump has emerged as the frontrunner in the comparison between his presidency and that of President Biden. According to a recent survey conducted by CBS News/YouGov, Trump leads Biden by four points nationally, marking his largest lead to date. The reasons for this shift in public opinion are multifaceted, but one key factor is the way voters perceive the economy under each president.
While neither Trump nor Biden receives stellar ratings for their handling of the economy, voters tend to look back more fondly on Trump’s presidency in terms of economic performance. This sentiment persists despite the fact that views of today’s economy are gradually improving. It seems that Biden’s policies, which are expected to result in price increases, have contributed to this perception. Republicans, in particular, overwhelmingly believe that if Trump were elected, prices would remain lower.
Interestingly, a significant portion of Biden’s polling deficits stem from criticism within his own Democratic base. Twice as many Democrats rate Biden’s presidency as fair or poor compared to the number of Republicans who described Trump’s presidency in the same way. This internal divide among Democrats has hindered Biden’s ability to gain traction against Trump.
When it comes to personal attributes and vision for the country, Trump also holds an advantage over Biden in the eyes of voters. More voters believe that Trump “fights for people like them” and has a clear vision for the country compared to Biden. These perceptions have played a role in shaping voter preferences.
The survey also shed light on some specific policy areas where Trump outperforms Biden. On the issue of reducing the number of migrants crossing the border, Trump is seen as having a significant advantage. The majority of voters continue to view this issue as at least very serious, if not a crisis. Additionally, Trump is perceived as having better physical and cognitive health to serve as president compared to Biden.
Furthermore, voters’ motivations and expectations for another Biden-Trump campaign have been revealed. Overwhelmingly, voters describe their expectations as “negative” and “depressing.” Democrats, in particular, express this sentiment. Most Biden voters view this election as one driven by fear of what might happen, and they are more likely to vote to oppose Trump than because they genuinely support Biden. On the other hand, most Trump voters see this election as an opportunity for hope and are voting for him because they like him, rather than simply opposing Biden.
This survey, conducted by CBS News/YouGov, provides valuable insights into the current state of public opinion regarding the two presidents. It is important to note that the survey was conducted with a nationally representative sample of 2,159 U.S. adult residents between February 28 and March 1, 2024. The margin of error is ±2.8 points.
As Super Tuesday approaches, the comparison between Trump and Biden’s presidencies will undoubtedly be a significant factor in shaping voter decisions. These findings highlight the challenges that Biden faces in gaining widespread support and suggest that Trump’s popularity among certain segments of the population remains strong. As the race heats up, it will be interesting to see how these perceptions evolve and ultimately impact the outcome of the election.
