GW Politics Poll Reveals Challenges Facing Biden Even before the First Debate


July 10, 2024

Capitol Building Resized
 
A new GW Politics Poll sheds light on the challenges President Joe Biden is encountering as he heads into the first presidential debate against former President Donald Trump and why Donald Trump’s support remains strong. The survey asked 2,750 registered voters about this highly competitive race, with Biden slightly ahead at 44% support compared to Trump's 42%. Among those planning to vote for Trump, 60% reported being "very enthusiastic" about their support, compared to only 43% of Biden supporters. More positive emotional responses were expressed among Trump supporters, with 62% saying that something about Trump or the things he has done made them feel proud always or most of the time, and 73% saying Trump made them feel hopeful always or most of the time. In comparison, 55% of Biden supporters felt proud and 63% felt hopeful always or most of the time as a result of something about Biden or something he has done.

Despite the close numbers, the poll shows key differences between Trump and Biden supporters with more positive emotional responses recognized among Trump supporters than Biden supporters. Given the lower levels of enthusiasm for Biden and lessened confidence in Biden's leadership, physical health, and mental acuity, even from his supporters, his poor performance in the debate had greater potential to hurt his standing, according to the researchers.
 

Other results:

Republicans rate their own candidate as more capable with respect to leadership, physical health and mental acuity:

  • 93% of Republicans said the description “provides strong leadership,” describes Trump extremely well or quite well, as opposed to 75% of Democrats responding the same way about Biden.
  • 92% of Republicans said that the description “is in good enough physical health to serve effectively as president,” describes Trump extremely well or quite well, as opposed to 64% of Democrats responding the same way about Biden.
  • 90% of Republicans said that the description has the “mental soundness to serve effectively as president,” describes Trump extremely well or quite well, as opposed to 72% of Democrats responding the same way about Biden.

When asked about various issues, partisans diverged in their assessment of each candidate’s governing abilities, with the following percentages saying they were very or somewhat confident in their candidate’s ability to handle each issue:

  • On the economy 94% of Republicans felt confident in Trump versus 77% of Democrats confident in Biden.
  • On immigration 93% of Republicans confident in Trump versus 66% of Democrats regarding Biden.
  • On crime 91% of Republicans confident in Trump versus 73% of Democrats regarding Biden.
  • On the Israel-Hamas war, 86% of Republicans confident in Trump versus 55% of Democrats regarding Biden.
  • On the war in Ukraine, 86% of Republicans confident in Trump versus 72% of Democrats regarding Biden.

Explore the Data

Bar Chart Politics Poll
 

 


About the Poll

The GW Politics Poll is managed jointly by GW's School of Media and Public Affairs, Graduate School of Political Management and Department of Political Science. The poll was conducted by YouGov. It was in the field June 11-24, 2024. It interviewed 2750 registered voters and is weighted to approximate a nationally representative sample.


Media Requests
Tayah Frye, [email protected];
Cate Douglass; [email protected]