Jean MartinA recent Quinnipiac University poll conducted from Feb. 15 to Feb. 19 revealed that 49 percent of registered voters would support President Joe Biden in a hypothetical general election matchup, while 45 percent would back former President Donald Trump. Despite Biden’s lead, concerns over the age of both candidates loom large among voters.
Concerns Over Age and Fitness:
The poll highlighted widespread apprehension regarding the age of the candidates. While 67 percent of voters believed that the 81-year-old President Biden is too old to serve another term effectively, 57 percent held similar concerns about Trump, who is 77.
Only 34 percent of respondents believed Biden had the mental fitness for a second term, while 48 percent thought Trump was mentally fit.
Age as a Central Issue:
Age has emerged as a prominent issue in Republican and Democratic primaries. Former U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley, a potential challenger to Trump in the GOP primary, has criticized both candidates for age. Democratic Rep. Dean Phillips has also raised concerns about Biden’s age, framing it as a potential impediment to defeating Trump.
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Responses from Donald Trump and Joe Biden:
Both Trump and Biden have defended themselves against concerns about their age and fitness. Biden has vehemently denied questions about his age, including during a contentious press conference following a report on his handling of classified documents. In response to Haley’s criticism, Trump emphasized his cognitive abilities, stating that he felt “about 35 years old.”
Public Opinion on Foreign Policy:
The survey also gauged public sentiment on key foreign policy issues. Most respondents (56 percent) supported sending additional military aid to Ukraine despite stalled efforts in Congress.
However, opinions were divided on providing further military aid to Israel in its conflict with Hamas, with a slight majority (48 percent) opposed to it.
