45th President Donald Trump has taken the lead over Joe Biden in a new Emerson College poll. This development comes amid Cornel West’s third-party candidacy, which appears to be causing a significant dent in Biden’s support base.
According to the findings released on Monday, Trump has edged out Biden by 2 percentage points. The data suggests that West’s entry into the race is hurting the Democrats, with potential voters seemingly gravitating towards his campaign.
Trump received 46 percent of support, compared to Biden’s 44 percent. West, the academic, received 4 percent of support, far above that usually received by third party candidates.
🚨 NATIONAL POLL: Emerson (A-)
PRES:
(R) Trump 46% (+2)
(D) Biden 44%
.
(R) Trump 44% (+5)
(D) Biden 39%
(G) West 4%
——
GOP PRES:
Trump 50% (+38)
DeSantis 12%
Ramaswamy 9%
Pence 7%
Haley 7%
Christie 5%
Scott 2%
——
8/25-26 | 1,000 RV | D37/R36/I27https://t.co/8BAdtIu6ap pic.twitter.com/Z9dwhEgrRM— InteractivePolls (@IAPolls2022) August 28, 2023
Beyond the presidential race, the poll also sheds light on the dynamics within the GOP primary. Trump’s dominance remains unchallenged, with half of the Republican primary voters expressing their support for the former president. This strong backing further consolidates his position as the leading Republican contender for the 2024 elections.
Adding another layer of intrigue to the political landscape is the rise of Vivek Ramaswamy. The entrepreneur and author has emerged as a new force within the Republican party, securing third place with 9 percent of support in the poll. His ascent underscores the shifting dynamics within the GOP and the appeal of fresh voices.
However, it’s worth noting that these are early days, and the political landscape can shift dramatically in the run-up to the 2024 elections. West’s impact on Biden’s campaign, Trump’s continued popularity, and Ramaswamy’s rise are all factors that will continue to evolve and shape the political narrative in the months to come.
Meanwhile, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis saw his second place status shrink to just 12percent of support, putting him within the margin of error of Ramaswamy’s 9 percent.
Beneath the three men are former vice president Mike Pence at 7%, former ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley at 7 percent, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie at 5 percent, and Senator Tim Scott at 2 percent.
The Emerson College poll uses a mixed-mode methodology, combining both online and telephone surveys to ensure a broad representation of likely voters. The firm interviewed 1,000 registered voters and reported margin of error of +/-3%.
As we move closer to the election, these poll results highlight the ever-changing nature of American politics. The influence of third-party candidates, the dominance of established figures, and the emergence of new voices all contribute to a dynamic and unpredictable political landscape.
