In recent commentary highlighted on NBC News’ “Meet the Press,” analyst Steve Kornacki discussed concerning polling numbers for President Joe Biden, particularly in comparison to former President Donald Trump. The discussion, driven by the latest NBC News poll, revealed that Biden is trailing Trump in several critical areas, including crisis management, effectiveness, and voters’ perceptions of their physical and mental fitness to govern.
Kornacki emphasized that these polling results are significant as they mark a notable shift from the 2020 election sentiment where Biden was often viewed more favorably in terms of competence and effectiveness. Currently, 47% of voters perceive Trump as competent and effective, surpassing Biden who stands at 36%. These figures are particularly alarming for the Biden camp as they prepare for the upcoming electoral cycle.
Additionally, Trump is seen as having a stronger record as president and is considered more capable in handling issues like inflation, which remain top concerns for many voters. This shift in public opinion is stark considering the similar queries posed four years ago showed a much closer race between the two figures concerning their mental and physical capabilities.
The discussion on the show also touched on the potential impact of third-party candidates like RFK Jr., who some analysts believe could split the vote in a way that might disadvantage Biden. Despite these concerns, current data suggests that if RFK Jr. were on the ballot, the race could tilt slightly in Biden’s favor against Trump.
This alarming trend for Biden, highlighted by the NBC News poll, underscores the challenges he faces as the 2024 presidential election approaches. The data suggests that while Biden may lead in areas like unity and handling of specific issues like abortion, the overarching concerns about his overall effectiveness and health could pose significant hurdles in his re-election campaign.