There’s still time for the other 20 Democratic presidential candidates to catch fire, but the 2020 primary is fast becoming a duel between former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., according to a new survey.
The latest Gallup poll said that Sanders and Biden dominate the primary and are very well known.
By comparison, 47% have “never heard of” media fave Pete Buttigieg, the mayor of South Bend, Ind. Even more have not heard of two other candidates, Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota.
“With roughly nine months to go before voting begins in the Democratic presidential nominating contest, Biden and Sanders far outpace others in the current field of candidates,” said the survey analysis.
It was Gallup’s second survey to find that voters generally like Biden, and that concerns over his handsy approach to women have not affected his likability.
What’s more, he has crossover appeal with Republicans, said the survey.
Overall, Biden’s “favorable rating” is 53%. Among Democrats it is 74% and with Republicans it is 32%.
Sanders’ favorability score is 46% overall, and 75% with Democrats, but just 17% with Republicans.
Said Gallup, “The two continue to be rated equally among potential primary voters, with both men viewed favorably by three in four Democrats and Democratic leaners. However, Biden leads Sanders in favorability among national adults because he has significantly more crossover appeal: 17% of Republicans and leaners have a favorable view of Sanders versus 32% for Biden.”
[Also read: Trump: ‘I don’t know what the hell happened to Biden’]
