In a recent poll, President Joe Biden finds himself trailing former President Donald Trump by a significant nine-point margin.
Adding to the complexity of the race, several third-party candidates have garnered double-digit support, including Robert F Kennedy Jr at 16%, Dr. Cornel West at 4%, and Dr. Jill Stein at 3%.
Biden’s slipping support is evident in the numbers, with Trump holding steady at 42% compared to Biden’s 33%.
The emergence of third-party contenders, particularly Kennedy, reflects a growing dissatisfaction within Biden’s base, exacerbated by criticism over his handling of the Israel-Gaza conflict.
Disapproval of Biden’s approach to the conflict is particularly pronounced among younger voters, with 81% of those aged 18-34 expressing dissatisfaction.
Even among Democrats overall, Biden faces negative sentiment on the Israel-Gaza issue, with 46% disapproving compared to 53% approving.
Kennedy’s and West’s poll standings have remained relatively stable since the last survey, while Stein’s inclusion marks a slight shift in the polling landscape.
Biden’s overall decline indicates a challenging road ahead for the incumbent president as he faces an increasingly competitive political landscape.
Despite Trump’s lead in the polls, there’s a notable caveat: only about 35% of voters believe Biden “stole” or unfairly won the 2020 election, a sentiment primarily held within the Republican primary electorate.
This suggests that Trump’s focus on past grievances may only resonate with his base, potentially alienating independent voters important for electoral success.
While third-party candidates historically struggle to gain traction in actual elections, their presence underscores a lack of enthusiasm for Biden’s candidacy.
As the campaign progresses, Biden’s team hopes to re-energize skeptical voters and secure their support, recognizing the need for a compelling message in a highly competitive race.
The CNN poll, conducted from April 18 to April 23, 2024, surveyed 1,212 registered voters with a margin of sampling error of 3.4 percentage points.
