Title: Biden and Trump Neck and Neck in Latest Polling, Biden Gains Ground Among Democratic Base
In a recent survey conducted by The New York Times and Siena College, President Biden has nearly erased Donald J. Trump’s early polling advantage, with the two candidates now virtually tied at 46 percent to 45 percent. This marks a significant improvement for Biden from late February when Trump held a sturdier lead.
The survey indicates that Biden’s increased support is coming from traditional Democratic voters, as he is now winning a greater share of voters who supported him in 2020 compared to a month ago. While Trump had secured more support from his past voters initially, the margin has narrowed, with Biden now winning 89 percent of his 2020 supporters.
Despite the tightening race, many fundamentals remain unchanged, with a high percentage of voters still viewing the country as headed in the wrong direction and rating the economy poorly. Both candidates continue to face challenges, with concerns about Biden’s age and Trump’s alleged federal crimes persisting.
The survey also comes just before Trump’s criminal trial in New York City, the first for a former American president. However, only one in four voters are closely following his legal troubles. Biden’s campaign is hoping to rally reluctant Democrats back to their typical partisan support, with initial signs of progress among Black and Latino voters, women, and suburban voters.
While Biden outperforms Trump on issues like uniting the nation and handling race relations and the pandemic, Trump holds an edge on the economy and immigration. The survey also highlights concerns about Biden’s handling of foreign conflicts, with younger voters particularly critical.
As the 2024 election approaches, the race between Biden and Trump is expected to be extremely close, with both candidates facing challenges and opportunities to sway voters. The survey’s margin of error was 3.3 percent, with Biden showing strong performance among nonwhite voters compared to previous surveys.
Overall, the survey paints a picture of a closely contested election with both candidates vying for support across various demographic groups and issues. The dynamics of the race are likely to shift as the campaign progresses, with voters weighing the candidates’ strengths and weaknesses in the lead-up to Election Day.
