A year before the presidential election, three-quarters of Americans (76%) believe the country is headed in the wrong direction and the leading Democratic and Republican candidates are viewed broadly unfavorably, according to a new ABC News/Ipsos poll. Only 23% of Americans think the country is headed in the right direction.
Among the two candidates most likely to face off again in 2024, one in three (33%) Americans view President Joe Biden favorably, while former President Donald Trump is viewed favorably by only 29%, according to the poll.
It is probable the difference in unfavorables between the two likely candidates is within the so-called “margin of error.” Neither is much liked by the electorate as a whole. That said, many of those who do like Trump are enthused while most of those who like Biden are tepid, at best.
A Biden - Trump contest could see a very low turnout, or a very high turnout. Depending on whether the mood a year from now is “only vote for someone you like” or “vote against someone you totally despise.”
Also involved are the parties’ relative successes in ballot harvesting and system rigging. Does anyone paying attention still trust our voting process in a less-than-landslide election? And if so, why?
I am reminded of the line from the film Master and Commander, “In the Royal Navy we are instructed to always choose the lesser of two weevils.”
