While the world is focused on the COVID-19 pandemic, the presidential election has not ended. While Bernie Sanders argues he still has a path to the Democratic nomination (albeit a tough one), there’s a growing consensus that Joe Biden is likely the Democratic nominee. According to a new Washington Post/ABC News poll, The Trump-Biden match-up would be close. Mr. Biden stands at 49% and Donald Trump stands at 47%, essentially a tied race.
Mr. Trump leads Mr. Biden on handling the coronavirus outbreak and the economy. Forty-seven percent of voters say they trust Mr. Trump to handle the coronavirus outbreak compared to just 43% who trust Mr. Biden. On the economy, more than half (52%) of voters say they trust Mr. Trump compared to just 42% who trust Mr. Biden. Mr. Biden has the advantage on handling health care, 51% to 41%.
While health care may have been the top issue at the start of this year, it is not yet known what the world and the state of the country will be when voters begin casting ballots this fall. When the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic passes, economic recovery will likely be at the forefront of Americans’ minds. If Mr. Trump’s advantage on the economy holds, he will have an edge with voters concerned about getting their jobs back, restoring their retirements and paying their bills.