Contributor Clare O’Connor recently spoke with Iowa voters to gauge their sentiments regarding a potential rematch between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump in the 2024 general election. The findings reveal that both on the ground and in polls, voters are expressing their dissatisfaction with the prospect of a Biden-Trump rematch. According to a Monmouth University poll conducted in September, only 32% of all voters are enthusiastic about Biden becoming the party nominee, while 37% are enthusiastic about Trump becoming the GOP nominee.
The poll results indicate that a majority of voters on both sides of the aisle are seeking alternative choices, reflecting their discontent with both candidates. Despite this appetite for change, Democratic strategist and pollster Carly Cooperman believes that a Biden-Trump matchup is likely to occur in 2024, stating, “As much as people don’t want it, I think it would be highly unlikely for another scenario to take place.”
Notably, voters on the ground in Iowa also expressed their reservations about the two candidates. Nate Blackford from Westside, Iowa, believes that while Trump could move the country forward, he doubts Trump’s ability to secure enough votes to win the general election. Similarly, Greg, a Republican from Sioux City, Iowa, believes that anyone other than Trump could defeat Biden in a landslide. Another voter, Don, suggests that Trump’s legal woes make him a vulnerable candidate and favors Florida Governor Ron DeSantis as a better alternative.
Daniel Weingarten from Clear Lake, Iowa, expresses dissatisfaction with both candidates, criticizing Trump for bringing “way too much baggage” and Biden’s health and cognitive abilities being in question. These sentiments reflect the voters’ desire for alternative choices in the upcoming election.
Neil Newhouse, a Republican pollster, explains that Biden’s incumbency grants him a certain level of power, making it challenging for other Democratic challengers to emerge. On the other hand, Trump’s hold over certain Republican voters remains strong, as he has effectively taken over the Republican Party. Newhouse emphasizes that this dynamic limits the chances of another candidate successfully challenging Trump within the party.
Despite the hope for alternate candidates, recent polls indicate that Trump is currently beating Biden in five out of six battleground states. Biden himself admitted that if Trump were not running, he might not have chosen to run for president. However, their approval ratings remain relatively low, with Biden at 40% and Trump at 44%. This dissatisfaction among voters is further evidenced by Lindsey from Des Moines, Iowa, who suggests that many Americans would consider voting for someone outside the traditional GOP and Democratic tickets.
Newhouse suggests that the 2024 election may create an environment conducive to the rise of a third-party candidate. With a significant number of voters expressing their unwillingness to support either Biden or Trump, there is a growing push for alternative options. Newhouse believes that this could be the perfect political climate for a third-party candidate to achieve success, comparable to Ross Perot’s impact in the past.
Overall, the sentiment among voters indicates a strong desire for change and a departure from the current generation of candidates. While not all Americans share the same extreme sentiment, the upcoming election in 2024 may be a turning point in the political landscape, with voters hoping for a fresh start.
Clare O’Connor is a campaign embed covering the 2024 presidential election. Stay updated on the latest developments from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews, and more political content by subscribing to our newsletter.
