Special Poll
In a recent CBS News/YouGov survey, President Biden holds a slight edge over former President Trump regarding voter confidence in the protection of democracy and the rule of law if either were elected to the presidency.
According to the poll, 34 percent of voters believe that the U.S. democratic system and adherence to the rule of law will be “safe” should Biden secure victory in the upcoming November election. Conversely, 33 percent expressed the same sentiment for Trump. As both individuals are anticipated to be their party’s nominees, they seem to be on a collision course for a rematch in the fall of 2020.
The survey also revealed a notable sense of skepticism about the future of U.S. democracy under either candidate’s leadership, with 20 percent of voters doubtful about the preservation of democracy and the rule of law regardless of who wins. Meanwhile, 13 percent of those surveyed remained optimistic that these principles would be upheld irrespective of the election outcome.
When likely voters were asked who they would support in a theoretical general election matchup, Trump held a 4 percentage point lead over Biden. Fifty-two percent of respondents indicated they would support Trump, while 48 percent favored Biden.
The candidates’ physical and mental fitness for the presidency was also a topic of inquiry. Forty-five percent of voters felt that Trump alone possesses the physical capacity to fulfill presidential duties, whereas 17 percent believed Biden is physically up to the task, and 29 percent did not see either as fit. On the mental and cognitive front, 43 percent of voters trusted Trump’s health, 26 percent favored Biden’s, and 25 percent were skeptical of both.
The survey, which included 2,159 U.S. adult residents, was carried out from February 28 to March 1 and has a margin of error of 2.8 percentage points.