Reuters/Ipsos Poll Shows Biden’s Challenge in Reaching Disengaged Voters

A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll found that a majority of Americans agree with President Joe Biden on issues such as abortion rights, capping insulin prices, and increasing taxes on billionaires. However, the poll also showed that the Biden campaign may struggle to engage angry voters.

Concerns about the economy, Biden’s age, and a general sense that the country is moving in the wrong direction have affected his prospects for re-election. Former President Donald Trump has a slight lead over Biden nationally in a head-to-head matchup for the Nov. 5, 2024, election.

One of Biden’s biggest challenges is overcoming the deep mistrust many voters appear to feel toward their political opponents or politics in general.

Trump’s campaign has capitalized on this sense of anger and grievance, making it a lasting challenge for Biden to harness the relative popularity of his agenda.

About half of the respondents in the poll support passing a law to legalize abortion nationwide, and bipartisan majorities said they support capping the price of insulin, imposing a minimum tax on billionaires, and banning assault rifles.

The poll also showed that Biden’s biggest worry continues to be voters’ fears about the economy, despite a series of positive indicators that the White House continues to highlight.

On the other hand, Trump also has opportunities to connect with undecided voters on his “America First” agenda, including proposed tariffs, skepticism over arming Ukraine, and other policies. However, the poll showed little public support for some of Trump’s proposals, such as imposing the death penalty on drug dealers, leaving the NATO alliance, and ceasing to grant U.S. citizenship to all people born in the U.S.

The Reuters/Ipsos poll was conducted online, surveying 4,411 adults nationwide between Dec. 5 and Dec. 11, 2023.