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A recent CNN poll conducted by SSRS reveals that former President Donald Trump maintains an edge over President Joe Biden as anticipation builds for the upcoming election rematch. Additionally, divergent assessments of each president’s first term further solidify Trump’s position as opinions sway in his favor.
In a head-to-head matchup, Trump garners support from 49% of registered voters, holding steady from CNN’s previous poll in January, while Biden stands at 43%, only slightly different from January’s figures. What’s striking is the retrospective evaluation of their respective presidencies. A majority of Americans, totaling 55%, now perceive Trump’s tenure as a success, a notable shift from the 44% who viewed it as a failure in January 2021. Conversely, sentiments towards Biden’s presidency are more critical, with 61% labeling it a failure compared to 39% who deem it successful.
Further analysis reveals a significant partisan divide in evaluating the presidents’ performance. Republicans are notably more unified in affirming Trump’s success, with 92% considering his presidency positively. In contrast, only 73% of Democrats view Biden’s tenure favorably. Independents also lean towards Trump, with 51% perceiving his presidency as successful compared to 37% for Biden.
Interestingly, there’s a subset of the population, approximately 14%, who view both presidencies as failures, while 8% see both as successes. Among registered voters, 47% believe Biden’s presidency is a failure while considering Trump’s successful, while only 30% hold the opposite view.
Biden’s handling of various issues also faces scrutiny, with disapproval ratings remaining consistent. The economy and inflation, in particular, elicit starkly negative feedback, with 34% and 29% approval ratings, respectively. Economic concerns have surged in importance among voters, with 65% deeming it extremely important in their presidential vote, compared to previous years.
Moreover, perceptions of personal finances reflect widespread dissatisfaction, especially among lower-income households, people of color, and younger Americans. Regarding issue priorities, protecting democracy emerges as a crucial concern for 58% of voters, followed by immigration, crime, and gun policy.
Impressions of the candidates remain predominantly unfavorable, with 58% of voters holding an unfavorable view of Biden and 55% of Trump. Dissatisfaction with the available candidates is also prevalent, with 53% expressing dissatisfaction. Notably, 17% of registered voters have unfavorable views of both candidates, with a plurality leaning towards Trump in this scenario.
Despite Biden’s deficit among younger voters, his support varies widely across different polls. Nonetheless, Biden remains disadvantaged compared to Trump in terms of the share of voters who have ruled out supporting him.
In conclusion, the latest CNN poll underscores the enduring polarization in American politics, with divergent perceptions of Trump and Biden’s presidencies shaping the electoral landscape as the rematch between the two looms closer.