In a recent poll conducted by Reuters/Ipsos, it was revealed that former President Donald Trump leads President Joe Biden in a potential election rematch. The poll showed a gain for Trump, as a previous poll conducted earlier this month had indicated a tie between the two candidates. However, it’s important to note that a nationwide survey cannot capture the nuances of the electoral college contest that will ultimately be decided in a few competitive states.
Interestingly, the poll also found that a majority of respondents expressed their desire for new candidates in presidential elections. Around 67% of those polled stated that they were tired of seeing the same candidates and wanted someone new. Nonetheless, only 18% of respondents said they would abstain from voting if Biden and Trump were the choices.
The sentiment of the respondents was further echoed by Kimberly Sofge, a project manager in Washington, D.C., who expressed her dissatisfaction with the current options. I hate to think that we’re constantly navigating the lesser of two evils. I honestly feel that we can do better, she said.
Despite the desire for change, both Trump and Biden seem prepared for a rematch, with the White House considering Trump as a viable challenger and Trump himself frustrated that Nikki Haley, his sole remaining primary challenger, did not drop out of the Republican race immediately.
Even when provided with the option to vote for third-party candidates like anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump still maintained a six-point lead over Biden in the poll. Trump received 36% support, while Biden garnered 30%, and Kennedy obtained 8%.
The poll also indicated a sense of dissatisfaction among respondents with the two-party system in the United States. Slightly over half of the respondents expressed their dissatisfaction, with only one in four respondents stating that they were satisfied with the system.
Whitney Tallarico, a consultant interviewed in Washington, expressed her concerns and considered an alternative to the two major parties. The independents don’t really have a voice. Polarizing characters usually take the front seat, and it’s a little sad for our country, she said. When asked about her choice between Biden and Trump, she revealed her inclination towards a third-party candidate.
Overall, the poll revealed that voters are generally unhappy with the available options. Seventy percent of respondents, including half of the Democrats surveyed, agreed that Biden should not seek re-election. Similarly, 56% of people believed that Trump should not run again, with one-third of Republicans sharing that sentiment.
Biden’s age has been an ongoing concern, with many viewing him as too old for the job at 81 years old, making him the oldest person ever to hold the U.S. presidency. Three-quarters of poll respondents agreed that Biden was too old to work in government. Interestingly, half of the respondents felt the same about Trump, despite him being 77 years old.
Despite Trump’s recent win in Iowa and New Hampshire, a significant number of Republicans in the poll indicated that they believed he should be convicted and sentenced to prison if he broke the law. This sentiment could potentially weigh on Trump, especially since he is currently facing four criminal prosecutions and has argued for immunity from prosecution for actions taken while he was in office.
In conclusion, the poll conducted by Reuters/Ipsos indicates that Trump leads Biden in a potential election rematch. However, the dissatisfaction expressed by respondents with the current candidates and the two-party system suggests a desire for new leadership and alternatives. The upcoming election will undoubtedly be influenced by the motivation of voters who either want to oppose Trump or support him, as well as the high turnout in the previous election. These factors, along with Biden’s age and Trump’s legal challenges, will undoubtedly shape the political landscape leading up to the election.
