POLITICS PA
The latest poll from Franklin & Marshall College shows a more optimistic Pennsylvania, while offering mixed news for the presidential candidates and better news for the Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate.
The good news for President Joe Biden comes in the form of a two-horse race against former President Donald Trump. After landing within the margin of error against the 45th president in February, the 46th president has more than doubled the 4.0% margin of error (MOE) in this survey with a 48-38% percent advantage. An additional 13% favored “someone else,” while just 1% indicated that they did not know.
When two other options were presented to the respondents in the form of Jill Stein (Green) and Robert Kennedy Jr. (Independent), the race moved within the MOE with Biden at 42% and Trump at 40%. Kennedy (9%) and Stein (3%) seemed to take more support from Biden, who was at 42-37% with the same question in February.
President
Biden and Trump are still not viewed favorably by the majority of Pennsylvanians, according to the survey. Forty-two percent view Biden in a favorable light, as opposed to 57% who see him unfavorably. Trump’s numbers are 39 and 60.
Thirty-five percent said Biden was doing a good or excellent job as president – his best rating since October 2022 (36%). Biden drew better marks than Trump on understanding the concerns of ordinary Americans (41-37), on value issues such as abortion and same-sex marriage (48-35), character and judgment (44-31) and honesty and trustworthiness (43-28).
Trump was preferred by respondents on the economy (48-38), and the military (43-41).
Biden’s current rating is lower than Trump’s and former President Barack Obama’s ratings in Pennsylvania at the same point in their terms.
