Trump vs Biden New Polls Results and Implications
As the potential showdown looms, a PBS NewsHour/NPR/Marist poll has indicated that a significant portion of Americans have expressed concerns about the mental fitness of both candidates.
A surprising 62% of the respondents voiced concern over Biden’s mental acuity, which is an 11-point increase over the 51% who expressed similar doubts about Trump. These sentiments have been fueled by the candidates themselves. Trump has openly criticized Biden’s mental sharpness, while Biden has publicly questioned Trump’s suitability for office, citing his erratic behavior.
Given the fact that Biden and Trump are the two oldest presidents ever elected to their first terms, it’s not surprising that the issue of age and mental fitness has become a critical point of discussion. This was reflected in another poll by Washington Post-ABC News which found that 63% of Americans believe Biden lacks the mental sharpness to serve as president. The same poll revealed growing concern over Trump’s mental fitness too.
However, it’s worth mentioning that there are significant portions of the population who view these concerns as mere political strategy. Approximately 36% of Americans dismiss questions about Biden’s mental sharpness as a campaign tactic by his opponents, with 43% saying the same about Trump.
Interestingly, younger voters, especially Generation Z and millennials, are more inclined to question Biden’s fitness, whereas his contemporaries are more likely to support him. The divide is also stark along party lines, with the majority of Republicans questioning Biden’s fitness and a similar proportion of Democrats questioning Trump’s.
Independent voters, who often hold the balance of power in elections, seem more concerned about Biden’s mental fitness than seeing it as a political strategy. But, their views on Trump are more evenly divided. Despite this concern, many of these independents might still vote for Biden, believing Trump’s liabilities to be more disqualifying.
Despite these concerns about his mental fitness, Biden’s overall job performance approval rating has slightly increased to 45%. However, 49% of Americans, including a significant 59% of independents, disapprove of his performance. As we gear up for a potential Biden vs Trump rematch in 2024, these findings will certainly add an interesting dynamic to the election.