Democrats rattled by New York Times and Siena College survey but former US president faces several trials that could change situation
Good morning, US politics blog readers. Democrats were rattled yesterday when the New York Times and Siena College published a poll showing Joe Biden trailing Donald Trump in five of the six swing states that are expected to decide the election next year. Voters surveyed thought the former president was a better bet to handle the economy, immigration and national security, all issues Biden has made priorities of his administration, while a massive 71% thought he was “too old” to continue doing the job. We are still a year away from election day and voter sentiment could change dramatically, but the poll was a high-quality one and exactly the sort an incumbent does not want to receive as they kick off their re-election bid.
But next year’s election will be like no other because Trump – the presumptive nominee – is facing four separate criminal indictments, and the Times said today that if he is convicted and sentenced, that could swing voter sentiment by about six percentage points, enough to deliver key states to Biden. The trial most likely to be resolved before election day is the politically potent proceedings against Trump for trying to overturn the 2020 election, which will take place in Washington DC and currently has a start date of 4 March.
Trump is expected to take the stand in the civil fraud trial of his family business, where he will face hostile questioning about his business empire in open court. We have a live blog on that.
Antony Blinken is in Turkey, the latest stop on a tour of the Middle East this weekend that included visits to Iraq and the West Bank, all aimed at dealing with Israel’s invasion of Gaza. Follow our live blog for the latest news on the conflict.
Amtrak will get its moment in the spotlight when Biden pays a visit to the passenger railway’s employees today in Delaware and touts “Bidenomics”, the term his administration has dubbed for his economic accomplishments that is not exactly catching on with voters. The president makes public remarks at 1.15pm eastern time.