Former President Donald Trump’s recent conviction on 34 felony counts has put him and current President Joe Biden in a similar strategic position, according to a report. Both men are reliant on attracting voters who may not like them but dislike their opponent even more.
Trump’s guilty verdict in his hush money trial is expected to weaken his standing with voters. However, Biden’s own position remains precarious with the public. The upcoming election will likely hinge on whether voters in key states prioritize their concerns about Trump or their doubts about Biden.
Polling data shows that Biden and Trump are both receiving support from voters who have reservations about them because they view the alternative as worse. Biden is even getting a significant share of voters who disapprove of his job performance. This pattern was evident in the 2022 midterm election and in key statewide races.
Despite criticisms and concerns about his performance, Biden is attracting voters who still plan to vote for him because they perceive Trump as unfit or dangerous. Biden’s approval rating remains low, hovering around 40% in most polls.
Trump is also benefiting from the lesser-of-two-evils dynamic, with a sizable percentage of voters who view him unfavorably still planning to vote for him. Both candidates’ vulnerabilities are blunting the impact of the other’s flaws.
A recent poll of swing states showed Trump ahead in most locations, with concerns about Biden’s age and capacity outweighing worries about Trump’s temperament and legal issues. This dynamic underscores the challenging position both candidates find themselves in as they vie for the presidency.
