Poll: 4 in 10 voters won't pick Trump in 2020, and few want an old person or a socialist
President Trump is competitive in 2020 but there are flashing yellow lights, according to a Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll released Sunday. Forty-one percent of registered voters said they would definitely or likely vote for Trump next year and 48 percent said they will definitely or likely vote for his Democratic challenger. Trump's approval rating ticked up to 46 percent, from 43 percent in January, however, and he retains a strong 88 percent approval from Republican voters. "It's a 45-55 against the president at this stage of the game," Democratic pollster Peter Hart told NBC News.
Trump won't face a generic Democrat, of course, and Democrats and the general public broadly agree on the qualities they want in the next president. The poll asked about 11 presidential characteristics, and the ones voters were most enthusiastic about or comfortable with were an African American (87 percent), white man (86 percent), woman (84 percent), gay or lesbian (68 percent), and an independent (60 percent). Least popular? A Muslim (49 percent — up from 32 percent in 2015), a person over 75 (37 percent), and a socialist (25 percent). Democrats were a little more enthusiastic about a socialist (45 percent) but not about a candidate over 75 (33 percent).
Republican pollster Bill McInturff told Chuck Todd on Sunday's Meet the Press that economic optimism and rising approval mean "the president's in the ballgame," pointing also to the 38 percent of voters so fed up they think the U.S. needs a third party — a post-1995 high. Democratic pollster Fred Yang said Trump "has to do everything to win it, and it may not be enough," noting that Trump's inability or unwillingness to expand his base of support may prove fatal for a president elected with 46 percent of the vote, especially if 2020 is a two-way race.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The WSJ/NBC News poll was conducted Feb. 24-27 among 900 adults, including 720 registered voters, about half by cellphone. The overall margin of error is ±3.3 percentage points, ±3.7 points for registered voters, ±6.3 points for Democratic primary voters, and ±6.8 points for GOP primary voters.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
'Good riddance to the televised presidential debate'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Caitlin Clark the No. 1 pick in bullish WNBA Draft
Speed Read As expected, she went to the Indiana Fever
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - April 16, 2024
Cartoons Tuesday's cartoons - sleepyhead, little people, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Sudan on brink of collapse after a year of war
Speed Read 18 million people face famine as the country continues its bloody downward spiral
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump's first criminal trial starts with jury picks
Speed Read The former president faces charges related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How will Israel respond to Iran's direct attack?
Speed Read Iran’s weekend attack on Israel could escalate into a wider Middle East war
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US, Israel brace for Iran retaliatory strikes
Speed Read An Iranian attack on Israel is believed to be imminent
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Congress honors real-life Rosie the Riveters
Speed Read These American women reshaped the work force during World War II
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Outgunned Ukraine could fall, US general warns
Speed Read Without more US aid, Ukraine is at risk of losing the war
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
House GOP scuttles FISA vote at Trump's urging
Speed Read Right-wing lawmakers blocked Speaker Mike Johnson's surveillance bill
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Arizona court reinstates 1864 abortion ban
Speed Read The law makes all abortions illegal in the state except to save the mother's life
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published