A recent CNN poll conducted by SSRS shows that former President Donald Trump continues to hold an advantage over President Joe Biden as the campaign progresses. The poll indicates that most Americans view Trump’s term as a success, while considering Biden’s term a failure. Despite some fluctuations in support, Trump maintains a lead of 49% to 43% over Biden among registered voters.
Looking back on Trump’s presidency, 55% of Americans view it as a success, while 44% see it as a failure. In contrast, 61% of respondents believe that Biden’s presidency has been a failure, with only 39% considering it successful. Republicans are more unified in their support of Trump’s presidency, with 92% viewing it as a success, compared to 73% of Democrats who view Biden’s time in office as successful.
There is some overlap in the views of both presidents, with 14% considering both to be failures and 8% viewing both as successes. Negative views of Biden’s performance in office persist, with 60% disapproving of his handling of the job. Biden’s approval ratings for various issues, including the economy and inflation, remain largely negative in the eyes of the public.
Economic concerns are a major factor for voters, with 65% considering the economy extremely important to their presidential vote. The majority of Americans, especially Republicans, feel that economic conditions in the US are poor. A change in political leadership is seen as more likely to affect perceptions of the economy than other factors such as inflation or personal financial situations.
In addition to economic concerns, protecting democracy is viewed as an extremely important issue by 58% of voters. There are sharp partisan differences in the top issues for each party, with Democrats prioritizing democracy, abortion, and health care, while Republicans focus on the economy, immigration, and crime. Impressions of both candidates remain negative among voters, with a significant portion expressing dissatisfaction with their choices.
The poll also reveals that a sizable 17% of registered voters have unfavorable views of both Biden and Trump, with independent candidates also factoring into the race. When including other candidates in the matchup, Trump maintains a lead over Biden. Variations in support among different age groups are noted, with Biden facing challenges among younger voters. Despite some voters ruling out support for either candidate, a small percentage remain open to reconsidering their choices. Voters on both sides express a lack of understanding for the opposing candidate’s support.
