Axelrod says he ‘stunned’ by new CNN poll showing Trump leading Biden

Former senior adviser to President Obama David Axelrod said he’s “stunned” President Biden did not perform better in CNN’s Tuesday poll showing former President Trump beating Biden by about 4 points.

Axelrod, in a discussion panel on CNN on Tuesday, pointed specifically to Biden’s poor performance in the poll when registered voters were asked about “effective leadership.”

Only 36 percent of respondents said they saw Biden as an “effective world leader,” compared to 48 percent who attributed that description to Trump. Voters also were more likely to say Trump had the stamina and sharpness to serve effectively as president, at 53 percent, compared to 25 percent of respondents who said the same about Biden. 

“I’m stunned honestly, by the ‘effective leader in the world,’ because Joe Biden has shown great leadership. He should be given strength points, and they’re not giving them to him,” Axelrod said on CNN.

Axelrod said the best takeaway for Democrats and Biden supporters about the CNN poll is Trump’s poor favorability. He noted, however, that Biden’s age problem is not going away. 

“I think the best thing probably is that Trump is terribly unpopular and therefore deeply vulnerable himself at the end of the day, but the date that people are looking at is the date on the president, and that is reflected in this poll,” Axelrod said, referring to Biden’s age. “And that’s the hard part, because it’s a hard thing.”

“You can fight on issues — and I think Democrats have the high ground on issues, and you’re gonna see it perhaps tonight in the results in these elections. We don’t know yet, but it sure feels that way. But how you deal with that, and it becomes a strength issue,” he added.

The CNN poll conducted by SSRS showed Trump narrowly leading Biden, 49 percent to 45 percent, among registered voters in a hypothetical match-up. Biden’s approval rating remained at 39 percent. 

Tags 2024 presidential election Axelrod David Axelrod Donald Trump Joe Biden Joe Biden Obama

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed..

 

Main Area Top ↴

Testing Homepage Widget

 

Main Area Middle ↴

Article Bin Elections 2024

Canada will reduce immigration targets as Trudeau acknowledges his policy failed
Israeli strike on Gaza shelter kills 17 as Blinken says cease-fire talks will resume
Middle East latest: Blinken in Doha to discuss Gaza cease-fire with Qatari officials
A car bomb explodes outside a police station in western Mexico, wounding 3 officers
Mozambique’s ruling party candidate declared winner of presidential election as rigging claims swirl
Putin ends BRICS summit that sought to expand Russia’s global clout but was shadowed by Ukraine
Turkey strikes Kurdish militant targets in Syria and Iraq for a second day
Massive displacement from Israel-Hezbollah war transforms Beirut’s famed commercial street
Canada’s Trudeau vows lead his Liberal Party into the next election
Russian lawmakers ratify pact with North Korea as US confirms that Pyongyang sent troops to Russia
Train carrying 55 people derails on Norway’s north coast, killing at least 1 person and injuring 4
Trash carried by a North Korean balloon again falls on the presidential compound in Seoul
Britain’s leaders likely to face slavery reparations questions at a summit of former colonies
The Paris conference for Lebanon raises $1 billion in pledges for humanitarian and military support
Venice extends its day-tripper tax through next year to combat overtourism
More AP International

Image 2024 Elections

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump, left, stands on stage with Melania Trump, Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner and Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, after speaking during the Republican National Convention, Thursday, July 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump, left, stands on stage with Melania Trump, Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner and Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, after speaking during the Republican National Convention, Thursday, July 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)

Most Popular

Load more

Video

See all Video