A pivotal election year is upon us, and the Fox News Power Rankings Issues Tracker has unveiled insightful data on the issues that will sway voters in the upcoming 2024 presidential race. With the focus on former President Donald Trump and incumbent President Joe Biden, the tracker reveals Trump's significant lead on crucial issues such as the economy, border security, and foreign policy, while Biden maintains an advantage in abortion rights and protecting democracy.
According to the Fox News Power Rankings Issues Tracker, former President Trump holds a considerable advantage over President Biden on several key issues that resonate strongly with the electorate. Trump's most pronounced lead lies in the realm of border security and immigration, where he enjoys an 18-point margin over Biden. This issue has been at the forefront of Trump's campaign amidst concerns over the surge in illegal immigration during Biden's presidency.
Furthermore, Trump commands a 15-point lead in the eyes of voters on the economy, a matter of paramount importance to many Americans grappling with rising inflation and soaring prices. Biden's administration contends that other economic indicators, such as low unemployment and GDP growth, support their performance, but the public's perception remains unfavorable.
Trump also retains a 7-point lead on foreign policy, fueled by his perceived strengths in handling both the Israel-Hamas and Ukraine-Russia conflicts. Additionally, voters express greater confidence in Trump's ability to enhance America's standing in the world.
While Trump leads on most key issues, President Biden holds his ground on matters related to abortion rights and the preservation of democracy. On abortion, Biden enjoys a 12-point advantage, reflecting the heightened importance of the issue for many voters following the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade. Additionally, Biden leads by 7 points on protecting or preserving democracy, a subject that has garnered significant attention in light of the January 6 riots and Trump's attempts to overturn the 2020 election.
The Fox News Power Rankings Issues Tracker also delves into candidate qualities, revealing some notable disparities. Trump holds a commanding 21-point lead on age, with voters perceiving him as more physically and mentally fit than Biden. This perception stems from Biden's status as the oldest President in U.S. history, combined with concerns over his memory lapses and rare public appearances during his tenure.
On the other hand, Biden boasts a 15-point lead in the realm of honesty and trustworthiness. Voters express greater confidence in his ethical conduct and integrity compared to Trump. This advantage is particularly significant given the ongoing investigations into Hunter Biden's business dealings, which Trump and Republicans have attempted to leverage against the Biden administration.
The Fox News Power Rankings Issues Tracker underscores a "bleak issues environment" for Democrats, with Trump holding a clear advantage on most policy matters. Biden faces the daunting task of creating significant movement on these issues before Election Day, particularly in light of persistent inflation, the influx of illegal immigration, and ongoing foreign conflicts.
While the tracker focuses on major issues, it's crucial to acknowledge the full range of "deal-breaker" issues that could influence the election outcome. According to the Fox News Poll, abortion remains a major deal-breaker for many voters, along with the economy and border security. Social issues like equality and LGBT rights, although they resonate with a smaller percentage of voters, can nevertheless determine the outcome in certain demographics.
The Fox News Power Rankings Issues Tracker incorporates polls that adhere to stringent criteria, emphasizing recent polls with registered voter samples. Questions about candidate qualities that do not involve direct comparisons are calculated by averaging "yes" responses across multiple polls. The tracker includes issues and candidate qualities that are consistently addressed by at least two pollsters, with the possibility of additional topics in future updates.
