Biden has a lead over Democratic primary challengers, but faces headwinds overall

[George K]

Talk about an anodyne headline which seems to ignore the main thrust of the article.

President Joe Biden’s bid for a second term begins with a wide advantage over his declared opponents for the Democratic nomination, but he faces headwinds among the overall public from declining favorability and a widespread view that his reelection would be more negative than positive for the country, according to a new CNN poll conducted by SSRS.

Just a third of Americans say that Biden winning in 2024 would be a step forward or a triumph for the country (33%). At the same time, the survey finds a decline in favorable views of Biden over the past six months, from 42% in December to 35% now. And results from the same poll released earlier this week showed Biden’s approval rating for handling the presidency at 40%, among the lowest for any first-term president since Dwight Eisenhower at this point in their term.

Within his own party, 60% of Democratic and Democratic-leaning voters say they back Biden for the top of next year’s Democratic ticket, 20% favor activist and lawyer Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and 8% back author Marianne Williamson. Another 8% say they would support an unnamed “someone else.”

I'm just a partisan hack, but I think a 35% approval rating would be the headline.

[LuFins Dad]

I think the fact that Kennedy has 16% and Williamson has 8% support is mind boggling.

[George K]

@LuFins-Dad agreed.

But Biden will be the nominee.