A new poll showed that if the presidential election were held today, most voters would pick former President Donald Trump over President Biden.
The poll, from The New York Times and Siena College, had 48% of respondents backing Mr. Trump versus 43% for Mr. Biden.
With just eight months to the general election on Nov. 5, the poll could be a warning sign for Mr. Biden and a boon for Republicans hoping to put Mr. Trump back in office.
The poll was conducted from Feb. 25-28, and its findings were released Saturday. Notably, less than 1,000 people participated in the poll, and the bulk of respondents considered themselves predominantly white, middle-aged or older independent voters.
About 49% of respondents said they leaned toward the Republican Party, with 34% Democratic.
Voters sounded resoundingly dissatisfied with Mr. Biden’s job, with 47% saying they strongly disapproved of it.
Many were concerned with the economy; 51% said economic conditions in the country were poor.
Almost half of respondents believed that regardless of whom they vote for, Mr. Trump would win in November. That comes as voters also viewed both candidates as unfavorable options; 43% viewed the ex-president as very unfavorable compared with 42% who felt the same about Mr. Biden.
Over half, or 53%, of voters believed that Mr. Trump, who has been hit with a series of indictments, has committed a serious federal crime.
Nearly two-thirds of voters believed the country was headed in the wrong direction. Most respondents, about 43%, said they felt Mr. Biden’s policies have hurt them personally compared with a quarter of voters who said Mr. Trump’s policies had hurt them.
While their rematch is not set in stone, Mr. Trump’s pathway to the Republican presidential nomination is all but guaranteed.
Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, his last remaining GOP opponent, has yet to best Mr. Trump in a primary or caucus. He handed her a staggering defeat in her home state of South Carolina last weekend.
The pair will square off on Super Tuesday, where 15 states will vote in Democratic and Republican primaries.
• Alex Miller can be reached at amiller@washingtontimes.com.
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