Prominent never-Trump figure Bill Kristol voiced alarm on Tuesday as a recent poll unveiled a substantial surge in voter enthusiasm favoring former President Donald Trump over incumbent President Joe Biden for the 2024 election.
According to a recent USA Today/Suffolk University poll, Trump and Biden are deadlocked, each garnering 41 percent of the support.
Kristol took to X to express his concerns: “New poll: Biden and Trump tied 41%-41%. Though they’re tied, Trump has a significant advantage over Biden when it comes to voter enthusiasm. I am alarmed.”
The survey divulged that Trump’s lead over Biden would be even more pronounced were it not for the presence of independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Removing independent candidate Cornel West from the equation would render the race a dead heat at 41 percent for both contenders.
USA Today reported that without Kennedy’s candidacy, Trump would hold a slender 41%-39% advantage over Biden. This lead falls within the poll’s margin of error, with West securing 7% of the vote.
Without Cornel West, Biden ekes out a narrower 38%-37% lead over Trump, with Kennedy claiming 14% of the vote.
In a scenario where neither Kennedy nor West are on the ballot, Biden and Trump would remain neck and neck at 41%-41%.
Where the poll truly illuminated a stark contrast was in terms of voter enthusiasm. Trump secured an average enthusiasm rating of 7.1 on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being highly enthusiastic. In comparison, Biden trailed with a lower average score of 6.28.
The poll showed that an impressive 50% of Republicans, 58% of union members and 54% of individuals between 50 and 64 rated their support for Trump as a perfect 10 on the enthusiasm scale.
Regarding Biden, only 29% of those aged 65 and older, 21% of black voters and 17% of Democrats rated their support for Biden at a perfect 10.
The survey also delved into approval ratings, revealing that 40% of respondents approve of the job Biden is doing, and 56% disapprove. Of those who approve, only 13% stated they “strongly approve,” while 56% expressed “strong disapproval.”
Trump was favored by an impressive 58% of the respondents, a 10-point jump from a USA Today/Suffolk Poll conducted in June.
27% of Trump supporters declared that “nothing” could sway their loyalty. In comparison, an additional 25% indicated that they would only reconsider their support if Trump were not on the ballot, deceased, or if they were unable to vote.
This resolute stance translates to 52% of Trump supporters unwavering commitment, with only a third open to changing their allegiance.
The poll was conducted with a sample of 1,000 registered voters, featuring a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.
Jim Thomas | editorial.thomas@newsmax.com
Jim Thomas is a writer based in Indiana. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science, a law degree from U.I.C. Law School, and has practiced law for more than 20 years.
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