In a recent Suffolk University/USA Today poll, independent presidential candidates Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Cornel West have emerged as potential threats to both former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden in the hypothetical 2024 presidential election. The poll, released on Monday, reveals that 37% of registered voters would support Biden, while 36% would support Trump. However, Kennedy and West have garnered significant support, with 13% and 4% respectively.
Kennedy’s support primarily comes from independent voters, with 23% expressing their preference for him. Nevertheless, he has also attracted the attention of Republicans, with 9% supporting his candidacy, and Democrats, with 7% showing their support. Similarly, West has gained traction among Democrats (6%) and independents (5%), as well as 2% of Republicans.
When asked about their second choice for president, 36% of voters were undecided. However, Kennedy led the pack with 26% support, followed by West at 16%, Trump at 6%, and Biden at 5%. Interestingly, a significant portion of voters expressed interest in a potential No Labels bipartisan presidential ticket, with 26% stating they would seriously consider voting for it, while 41% said they would not. The remaining 23% said their decision would depend on the candidates, and 9% remained undecided.
The poll also revealed negative ratings for both Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. A majority (56%) viewed Biden’s job performance unfavorably, with 13% strongly disapproving. Only 27% approved, and 13% strongly approved. Harris faced similar challenges, with 53% viewing her unfavorably and 33% favorably. Additionally, 12% were undecided.
When it comes to public perception of the government, the Senate fared slightly better than the House of Representatives. Thirty-six percent of voters held a favorable view of the Senate, while 24% held a favorable view of the House. On the other hand, 42% held an unfavorable view of the Senate, and 54% held an unfavorable view of the House. Twenty-two percent remained undecided on both.
Confidence in government officials in Congress and the White House was low, with only 4% expressing a lot of confidence and 32% having some confidence. A significant majority (61%) stated they had either very little confidence (34%) or no confidence at all (27%) in handling the nation’s challenges. Furthermore, 71% of voters believed the country was on the wrong track, while only 17% felt it was heading in the right direction. Twelve percent remained undecided.
The 2024 presidential election is shaping up to be a highly contested race, with independent candidates like Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Cornel West gaining substantial support. As the race unfolds, it remains to be seen how these candidates will impact the political landscape and potentially disrupt the dominance of traditional party politics.
For the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews, and more political content, visit our digital election hub.
