As the 2020 election campaign begins in the United States, Americans have handed Joe Biden some brutal news. With polls showing a decline in the former Vice President’s support, some political analysts are suggesting that Donald Trump should be smiling right now.
Biden’s numbers have been slipping since May, when he announced his candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination. In a recent CNN poll, he trailed behind Senator Elizabeth Warren with only 17% support compared to her 25%. Meanwhile, incumbent President Trump’s approval rating sits at 44%.
So, what’s behind Biden’s loss of support? For one thing, his record on race relations has been called into question. During his time in the Senate, Biden was known for his close relationships with segregationists and his opposition to busing, a policy aimed at desegregating schools.
More recently, Biden has faced criticism for his handling of the Anita Hill hearings in 1991, during which Hill accused then-Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas of sexual harassment. Biden, who was chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee at the time, has been criticized for not doing enough to support Hill and for allowing her to be subjected to hostile questioning.
Another issue that has hurt Biden is his age. At 76, he is the oldest person in the race, and questions have been raised about his stamina and mental acuity. In particular, his rambling speeches and frequent gaffes have raised concerns about his fitness for the presidency.
All of this is very good news for President Trump. With Biden faltering, Trump’s path to re-election is looking increasingly clear. Of course, it’s still early days, and anything can happen between now and November 2020. But for now, the President can afford to smile.
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