A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll reveals that President Joe Biden‘s campaign strategy of portraying Donald Trump as a democracy threat is not resonating equally among all demographics, especially among Black supporters and those without college degrees.
This insight comes at a time when concerns about political extremism and the health of American democracy are surging, partly due to events such as Trump’s attempts to contest his 2020 election loss, the Supreme Court’s abortion rights decision, and increased migrant flows at the U.S.-Mexico border.
The poll, conducted online from March 7-13 with 4,094 respondents, indicates widespread anxiety across party lines regarding the integrity of U.S. democratic institutions and the actions of highly partisan politicians.
A notable majority, including both Democrats and Republicans, expressed fear over the potential for partisan state legislatures to overturn the popular vote and enact unpopular laws.
The concern that one party could pose an imminent threat to the U.S. was shared by two in five members of each political party.
Despite these shared concerns, demographic nuances within the electorate suggest that some segments of Biden’s base may not be as motivated to vote.
While 57% of Biden supporters cited their primary reason for backing him as a counter to Trump, this sentiment was less pronounced among Black voters and those without college degrees.
This discrepancy raises questions about turnout enthusiasm among these crucial groups.
The poll also highlighted broader issues of concern for American voters, including crime, the economy, and the gap between the wealthy and average citizens.
Both parties prioritized these issues, though Democrats placed a higher emphasis on climate change and abortion access, whereas Republicans were more concerned with immigration’s impact on native-born Americans.
These findings underscore the complex landscape Biden navigates as he campaigns on both a critique of Trump’s legacy and a positive vision for the future, emphasizing his economic policies and defense of abortion rights.
Rodell Mollineau, a Democratic strategist, emphasized the importance of balancing critiques of Trump with affirmations of Biden’s achievements.
Meanwhile, Biden campaign spokesperson Sarafina Chitika highlighted the diverse motivations driving Biden’s support base.
With America deeply divided, the campaign’s ability to mobilize its varied constituencies by addressing their unique concerns will be pivotal in the upcoming election.
The poll’s margin of error was ±1.7%.