A new poll released on Tuesday by CNN shows Democratic front-runner Joe Biden moving back to a double-digit lead in the field of 2020 candidates.
After losing ground in recent weeks to challengers Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Bernie Sanders of Vermont, the new CNN poll shows Biden, 76, with 29% favorability among Democratic-leaning voters heading into the election. Sanders was his closest competitor with 15%, and Warren had 14%.
Biden’s increase by 7% since June was the only significant gain over the past six weeks. The only other big change since the June poll was California Sen. Kamala Harris’ drop from 17% to 5%. The June poll was conducted days after the first debate in which Harris directed a pointed verbal attack at Biden for his history of working with pro-segregation senators. Harris also condemned Biden’s history of voting against busing legislation in the Senate decades ago.
Biden has remained at the top of polls since he announced his candidacy in late April, though his numbers waned significantly in the wake of shaky debate performances and wavering policy stances. Biden, who was U.S. senator from Delaware for 36 years, has been the subject of wide-ranging criticism from fellow Democratic candidates whose policies are often far to the Left of his own.
Both Warren and Sanders have strongly advocated for the dissolution of private healthcare in favor of “Medicare for all”; Biden has remained steadfast in preserving Obamacare and leaving the option for Americans to keep private insurance. Biden has altered and apologized for several previously held political views during the 2020 run for president, including his support of the Hyde Amendment and other anti-abortion stances.
“I’ve supported the Hyde Amendment like many, many others have because there was sufficient monies and circumstances where women were able to exercise that right,” Biden said in June of his changing viewpoint. “But circumstances have changed. I’ve been working through the final details of my healthcare plan like others in this race and I’ve been struggling with the problems that Hyde now presents.”
Biden has also been criticized for his past support of strict criminal penalties for minor crimes and his sponsorship of related legislation. During his time in the Senate, Biden advocated “we do everything but hang people for jaywalking.” Other candidates, such as New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, have been at odds with Biden over his past criminal justice positions, calling on him to apologize and disavow his past calls for strict punishments. Biden has distanced himself by advocating for the abolition of the death penalty and a ban on assault rifles.
The CNN poll released Tuesday shows Biden leading the pack by a 14-point margin, consistent with the RealClearPolitics average poll which reflects a 13.2-point lead by Biden. According to the poll, Biden’s strongest support comes from self-identified Democrats and moderates, as well as voters over the age of 45. Of the polling group, 54% said that defeating President Trump was their top priority. Of that group, Biden maintains a strong lead of 31%.
