With the U.S. presidential election approaching this November, a poll revealed that voters in key battleground states rate former President Donald Trump higher than President Joe Biden when it comes to defending democracy.
On the 26th (local time), The Washington Post (WP) and George Mason University's Schar School of Policy and Government announced the results of a survey conducted from April 15 to last month 30, targeting 3,513 registered voters in six battleground states: Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan. The survey found that 44% of respondents believed former President Trump would better handle threats to American democracy.
Only 33% of respondents chose President Biden.
Even among more fluid groups such as those who have voted only once in past presidential elections, young voters aged 18 to 25, voters registered since 2022, and swing voters, the gap was similar, with 38% favoring former President Trump and 29% favoring President Biden.
When asked how important the threat to democracy is as an issue in the election, 61% of respondents said it was important. Among Biden supporters, 78% viewed democracy as important, while 71% of Trump supporters agreed.
The six states surveyed were regions where President Biden narrowly defeated former President Trump in the 2020 election. These states are also considered key areas that will effectively decide the outcome of this election. For President Biden, who is appealing for support by framing Trump's return as a threat to democracy, these results are a warning sign.
Justin Gest, a professor at George Mason University, said, "Many Americans do not perceive President Biden as a defender of democracy," adding, "This is a bad omen for his reelection campaign."
In the survey, when asked whether former President Trump would accept the election results if he lost, 69% of respondents said no. Only 35% said President Biden would refuse to concede.
Regarding the question of whether former President Trump would rule as a dictator if elected, 46% of respondents said yes. In contrast, only 19% believed President Biden would become a dictator.
Meanwhile, an analysis by The New York Times (NYT) of nationwide polling averages for presidential candidates showed President Biden and former President Trump tied at 46%. In key battleground states, former President Trump led by 1 to 5 percentage points.
President Biden and former President Trump will hold their first TV debate on the 27th.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
