(Luis Cornelio, Headline USA) In a recent Emerson College Poll, former President Donald Trump has emerged as a significant contender in a three-way matchup for the 2024 presidential election, edging ahead of incumbent President Joe Biden.
In a hypothetical head-to-head scenario between Trump and Biden, the two contenders find themselves in a statistical tie, both commanding 44% of the respondents’ support.
What’s noteworthy is that this poll, released on Saturday, indicates an increase in Trump’s support compared to the previous Emerson poll conducted in June. However, the entrance of third-party candidate Cornel West and musician Taylor Swift introduces an intriguing twist.
When Cornel West’s name is added to the ballot, both Trump and Biden experience a slight decline in support, with Trump garnering 42% and Biden with 41%. The poll underscores West’s appeal, as 5% of respondents show their support for him, while 13% are still undecided.
The introduction of Taylor Swift, who has not announced a bid for the White House, as a potential third-party candidate further adjusts the landscape, with Trump maintaining 42% support, Biden at 39%, and Swift gaining 8%. The undecided percentage remains at 10%.
Spencer Kimball, executive director of Emerson College Polling, pointed out, “The Swift test suggests that Biden’s support is softer than Trump’s, whose support is more locked-in.”
The poll also delved into public perceptions of the candidates’ legal situations. Nearly half of the respondents (47%) indicated that Trump’s 2024 indictments make them less inclined to support him, while 34% stated that the legal issues make them more likely to back him. A significant portion (19%) remained in a neutral or uncertain position regarding the matter.
A similar poll by Center Square, a conservative news organization, showed that if former First Lady Michelle Obama decided to run for president, Democratic voters would abandon Biden.
“Democratic voters are prepared to back Joe Biden for another term in office – that is, unless Michelle Obama decides to step in,” the Center Square reported on Saturday.
The poll added, “The Center Square Voters’ Voice Poll, conducted in conjunction with Noble Predictive Insights, found that Biden would coast to victory over declared candidates attorney Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and writer and speaker Marianne Williamson.”
