Biden ahead of Trump by double digits in key state of Pennsylvania, poll finds
"The economy isn't giving President Donald Trump an edge in an early read of the very key Keystone State," said polling analyst Mary Snow.
Biden ahead of Trump by double digits in key state of Pennsylvania, poll finds "The economy isn't giving President Donald Trump an edge in an early read of the very key Keystone State," said polling analyst Mary Snow. Check out this story on knoxnews.com: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2019/05/16/trump-down-biden-pennsyvania-more-than-10-quinnipiac-poll/3691646002/
William Cummings, USA TODAY Published 11:40 a.m. ET May 16, 2019 | Updated 10:47 p.m. ET May 16, 2019
Former Vice President Joe Biden, who is leading the pack of 2020 Democratic presidential candidates, has been buoyed by a message that he is the candidate best able to defeat President Donald Trump in a general election, and a new poll lends additional weight to that assumption.
Biden leads Trump 53% to 42% in the key state of Pennsylvania among registered voters, according to a poll released Wednesday by Quinnipiac University.
Women favored Biden 60% to 36%, while men narrowly broke for Trump 45% to 49%. Biden led every age group (although he was only favored by two percentage points among those ages 50-64). He was narrowly the choice of white voters (49% to 45%) and the overwhelming favorite among non-whites (70 to 27%).
Trump had a strong lead among white men (54% to 41%) and whites without a college degree (56% to 38%).
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Former Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden speaks during a campaign stop at the Community Oven restaurant in Hampton, N.H., May 13, 2019. (Photo: Michael Dwyer, AP)
Perhaps most importantly in the politically divided state, Biden led Trump by 14 percentage points among independent voters.
But Biden was not the only Democratic candidate who was favored by registered Pennsylvania voters. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders led the president 50% to 43%, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren led him 47% to 44% and South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg led Trump by one percentage point, 45% to 44%.
The poll found California Sen. Kamala Harris tied with Trump at 45% and former Texas Rep. Beto O'Rourke losing to him, 46% to 44%.
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Former New York City Mayor and presidential hopeful Michael Bloomberg file paperwork to qualify for the ballot at Arizona Secretary of State's Office on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2019. Nick Oza, The Arizona Republic via USA TODAY Network
Deval Patrick, who made history after becoming Massachusetts' first black governor, threw his name into the 2020 Democratic presidential election Nov. 14, 2019. Seen here former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick speaks on a panel on leadership during times of crisis at the Newseum in Washington, DC, Feb. 22, 2016. SAUL LOEB, AFP/Getty Images
Former Illinois Rep. Joe Walsh announced on Aug. 25, 2019 he'll challenge President Donald Trump for the Republican nomination in 2020. The tea party favorite argues that Trump is unfit for the White House. In this Nov. 15, 2011, file photo former U.S. Rep. Joe Walsh, R-Ill., gestures during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington. Carolyn Kaster, AP
Democratic activist and billionaire investor Tom Steyer speaks at the Des Moines Register Political Soapbox on August 11, 2019. Steyer announced he was seeking Democratic nomination on July 9, 2019. Olivia Sun
Sen. Michael Bennet, D-CO, first announced he was joining the race for Democratic nomination on May 2, 2019 while making an appearance on "CBS This Morning." Stephen Maturen, Getty Images
Former Vice President Joe Biden announced on Youtube that he will be joining the race for the 2020 Democratic nomination on April 5, 2019. Leah Voss, Treasure Coast News-USA TODAY NETWORK
Senator Bernie Sanders, I-VT, announced he was running for president on Feb. 19, 2019. Hannah Gaber, USA TODAY
Former Massachusetts Gov. William Weld announced on Feb. 15, 2019, that he would challenge President Donald Trump in the Republican primary. Cheryl Senter, AP
Democratic Senator of Minnesota Amy Klobuchar announced that she is running for President of the United States on Feb. 10, 2019. Eric Seals, Detroit Free Press
Senator Elizabeth Warren, D-Ma, announced she was running for president on Feb. 9, 2019. Olivia Sun
U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-HI, center, announced she was running for president on Feb. 2, 2019. Leah Voss, USA TODAY NETWORK
South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg announced he was running for president on Jan. 23, 2019. Leah Voss, USA TODAY NETWORK
Entrepreneur Andrew Yang is a Democrat running for President. He entered the race on Nov. 6, 2018. Charlie Neibergall, AP
Former Maryland Democratic Congressman John Delaney announced he was running for president on July 28, 2017. Sam Owens, The Des Moines Register
President Donald Trump filed for re-election the day he was inaugurated on Jan. 20, 2017. Sam Greene, The Cincinnati Enquirer
Overall, Trump's job approval rating among Pennsylvania voters was 42% while 54% disapproved of the job he's done as president. That was despite 54% of the respondents believing they are better off financially today than they were in 2016. Seventy-one percent of the respondents rated the state's economy as "excellent" or "good," and 77% said their own financial situation was "excellent" or "good."
"More than half of Pennsylvania voters say they are better off financially than they were in 2016. But the economy isn't giving President Donald Trump an edge in an early read of the very key Keystone State," said Quinnipiac University polling analyst Mary Snow.
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Pennsylvania is one of three states that voted for Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012 but narrowly broke for Trump in 2016. Most analysts believe that winning back voters in those states is critical to the Democrats' hopes of preventing the president's re-election.
In the primary race, Biden was the choice of 39% of registered Democrats in the state, ahead of Sanders (13%), Harris (8%), Warren (8%), Buttigieg (6%) and New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker (5%). The other candidates came in at 1% or less.
When asked which candidate they thought had the best policy ideas, the results narrowed dramatically, with 23% of Pennsylvania Democrats picking Biden while 18% said Sanders and another 18% said Warren.
But when asked which candidate had the best chance of defeating Trump, 61% said Biden.
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Joe Biden through the years
Former Vice President Joe Biden speaks during the Democratic Presidential Debate at Tyler Perry Studios November 20, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. Alex Wong, Getty Images
Democratic presidential hopefuls Joe Biden speaks as Elizabeth Warren listens during the fourth Democratic primary debate of the 2020 presidential campaign season at Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio on October 15, 2019. Biden and Warren took jabs at each other during the campaign and on the debate stage. Saul Loeb, AFP via Getty Images
Former Vice President Joe Biden buys an ice cream Wonder Bar for himself and sisters Grace and Noelle Beasley, of Urbandale, on the first day of the Iowa State Fair on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Des Moines, Iowa. (Via OlyDrop) Kelsey Kremer/The Register
July 24, 2019; Detroit, MI, USA; Former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden speaks during the Presidential Candidates forum hosted by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Wednesday, July 24, 2019 at Cobo Center in Detroit. Mandatory Credit: Mandi Wright/Detroit Free Press via USA TODAY NETWORK ORIG FILE ID: 20190724_ajw_usa_151.jpg Mandi Wright, Detroit Free Press-USA TODAY NET
Former US Vice President Joe Biden leaves a rally organized by UFCW Union members to support Stop and Shop employees on strike throughout the region at the Stop and Shop in Dorchester, Mass. on April 18, 2019. Joseph Prezioso, AFP/Getty Images
Former Vice President Joe Biden delivers remarks at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Construction and Maintenance Conference at the Washington Hilton in Washington D.C. on April 5, 2019. Jack Gruber, USA TODAY
Former US Vice President Joe Biden wipes tears from his eyes as he speaks about his late son Beau Biden during the First State Democratic Dinner in Dover, Del. on March 16, 2019. Saul Loeb, AFP/Getty Images
Joe Biden is interviewed on the field after Super Bowl LII between the Philadelphia Eagles and the New England Patriots at U.S. Bank Stadium on Feb 4, 2018. Kirt Dozier, USA TODAY Sports
Biden poses for a portrait on Nov. 12, 2017, in New York. Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY
Former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden in conversation with author George Saunders during The Miami Book Fair at Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts on Nov. 18, 2017 in Miami, Fla. Johnny Louis, WireImage
The Bidens speak onstage during Glamour Celebrates 2017 Women Of The Year Live Summit on Nov. 13, 2017, in New York. Craig Barritt, Getty Images for Glamour
Biden and Ohio Gov. John Kasich participate in a discussion on bridging political and partisan divides at the University of Delaware in Newark, Del., on Oct. 17, 2017. Patrick Semansky, AP
Biden takes a selfie with a student after delivering remarks regarding sexual violence on college campuses during a visit to Rutgers University, on Oct. 12, 2017, in New Brunswick, N.J. Julio Cortez, AP
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., shakes hands with Biden after receiving the Liberty Medal in Philadelphia on Oct. 16, 2017. Matt Rourke, AP
Biden waves to the crowd as he speaks at a rally to campaign for Democrat Doug Jones in the special election to fill Attorney General Jeff Sessions' former Senate seat on Oct. 3, 2017, in Birmingham, Ala. Brynn Anderson, AP
The Bidens congratulate the competitors at the Wheelchair Basketball Finals during the Invictus Games on Sept. 30, 2017, in Toronto. Chris Jackson, Getty Images
Biden speaks onstage during OZY Fest 2017 on July 22, 2017, in New York City. Bryan Bedder, Getty Images
Biden poses for a photo with congressional pages on Capitol Hill on July 11, 2017. Pablo Martinez Monsivais, AP
Biden reacts to the crowd as he returns to Brown-Burton Winchester Park in Wilmington, Del., where the pool facility is being dedicated in his honor as the Joseph R. Biden Jr. Aquatic Center. Suchat Pederson, The News Journal
Biden addresses a gathering at campaign event for New Jersey Democratic gubernatorial candidate Phil Murphy on May 28, 2017, in Lyndhurst, N.J. Mel Evans, AP
Biden takes off his sunglasses as he delivers the annual Harvard College Class Day address on May 24, 2017, in Cambridge, Mass. Steven Senne, AP
Biden applauds during the first half of the Washington Wizards vs. Atlanta Hawks NBA game at the Verizon Center in Washington on April 26, 2017. Rob Carr, Getty Images
Biden speaks during a health care event on the East Front of the Capitol on March 22, 2017. House Democrats held the event to mark the seventh anniversary of the Affordable Care Act. Alex Wong, Getty Images
Biden tucks notes into his jacket after speaking at an event to formally launch the Biden Institute, a research and policy center focused on domestic issues, at the University of Delaware in Newark, Del., on March 13, 2017. Patrick Semansky, AP
Obama and Biden walk through the Capitol for President Trump's inauguration ceremony on Jan. 20, 2017. J. Scott Applewhite, AFP/Getty Images
Biden wipes his eyes as Obama presents him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House on Jan. 12, 2017. Pool, Getty Images
The president and vice president embrace after Obama delivered his farewell speech to the nation on Jan. 10, 2017, in Chicago. Scott Olson
Biden signs the drawer of the vice president's desk in the vice president's ceremonial office at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on Jan. 6, 2017. Manuel Balce Ceneta, AP
Biden watches President Obama, sitting with Defense Secretary Ash Carter, right, as they listen to Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford talk about Obama during an Armed Forces Full Honor Farewell Review on Jan. 4, 2017, at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va. Susan Walsh, AP
The family of Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., takes a selfie with Biden during a ceremonial swearing-in on Jan. 3, 2017, in the Old Senate Chamber. Kevin Wolf, AP
Scarlett Willa Wyden, the daughter of Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., looks at Biden as he greets her during a ceremonial swearing-in on Jan. 3, 2017, in the Old Senate Chamber. Alex Brandon, AP
Biden speaks about sound financial sector regulation at Georgetown University on Dec. 5, 2016. Manuel Balce Ceneta, AP
Obama and Biden walk back to the Oval Office on Nov. 9, 2016, after the president spoke about the election in the Rose Garden. Pablo Martinez Monsivais, AP
Biden shakes hands with Vice President-elect Mike Pence at the Naval Observatory on Nov. 16, 2016, in Washington. Mark Wilson, Getty Images
Biden speaks to a crowd of Clinton supporters during a rally at the Museum of Science & Industry in Tampa on Nov. 2, 2016. Charlie Kaijo, AP
French President Francois Hollande speaks with Biden at a press conference on the sidelines of the 71st session of the U.N. General Assembly at The Met in New York on Sept. 20, 2016. Stephane De Sakutin, AFP/Getty Images
Hillary Clinton greets Biden on the tarmac at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport in Avoca, Pa., on Aug. 15, 2016, before traveling together to a campaign event in Scranton, Pa. Carolyn Kaster, AP
Vice President Biden speaks during the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia on July 27, 2016. Kyle Grantham, The News Journal
Biden checks out the stage at Wells Fargo Arena before the start of the second day session of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia on July 26, 2016. Paul Sancya, AP
President Obama and Biden arrive at Orlando International Airport on June 16, 2016, to meet with the families of victims of the mass shooting at Pulse nightclub. Craig Rubadoux, Florida Today
Biden talks with House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wisconsin before President Obama delivers the State of the Union Address on Jan. 12, 2016. Evan Vucci, AP
Biden speaks in the Rose Garden at the White House on Oct. 21, 2015, to announce he is not running for president. Jim Watson, AFP/Getty Images
Biden jokes with Obama during an event to mark the 25th anniversary of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics in the East Room of the White House on Oct. 15, 2015. Brendan Smialowski, AFP/Getty Images
Biden and Speaker John Boehner listen as Pope Francis addresses a joint session of Congress on Sept. 24, 2014. Vincenzo Pinto, AFP/Getty Images
In this image released by CBS, host Stephen Colbert shakes hands with Biden during a taping of "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" on Sept. 10, 2015 in New York. John Paul Filo, AP
Biden walks in the annual Allegheny County Labor Day Parade on Sept. 7, 2015, in Pittsburgh. Jeff Swensen, Getty Images
Biden attends the Sussex County Democratic Party's annual Jamboree at Cape Henlopen State Park in Delaware on Aug. 29, 2015. Jason Minto, The News Journal
Biden talks with U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power in the Oval Office on Aug. 4, 2015. Jim Watson, AFP/Getty Images
Biden speaks at Generation Progress' 10th Annual Make Progress National Summit in Washington on July 16, 2015. Molly Riley, AP
Biden walks with House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., after attending a House Democratic Caucus meeting in the Capitol on July 15, 2015. He briefed Democrats on the Iran nuclear deal and participated in a lengthy question-and-answer session. Shawn Thew, European Pressphoto Agency
Obama hugs Biden after delivering the eulogy in honor of Biden's son, former Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden, on June 6, 2015, at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Wilmington, Del. Pablo Martinez Monsivais, AP
Biden embraces his grandson Hunter before funeral services his son Beau Biden on June 6, 2015, at St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church in Wilmington, Del. The eldest son of the vice president, died of brain cancer May 30 at age 46. Patrick Semansky, AP
A U.S. Naval Academy Midshipmen 1st Class celebrates after receiving his diploma from Biden during graduation ceremonies at the U.S. Naval Academy on May 22, 2015, in Annapolis, Md. Biden gave the commencement speech to this year's graduating class. Mark Wilson, Getty Images
Biden tours the headquarters of PECO energy company in Philadelphia on April 21, 2015. Matt Rourke, AP
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen's grandson, A.J. Bellabona, takes a selfie with Biden in the Old Senate Chamber at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2015, after Sen. Shaheen participated in her ceremonial swearing-in with other members of Congress. Eileen Blass, USA TODAY
Biden speaks to the Saban Forum on Dec. 6, 2014, in Washington. Jose Luis Magana, AP
Biden poses for a selfie with a member of the audience during a campaign event for Democrat Seth Moulton, a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives, on Oct. 29, 2014, in Lynn, Mass. Steven Senne, AP
Biden enjoys an ice cream cone after an Oct. 8, 2014, campaign rally for Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley in Portland. Don Ryan, AP
Biden waves on April 21, 2014, after landing at the airport in Boryspil, Ukraine. Yuriy Maskimov, European Pressphoto Agency
Biden and his wife, Jill, dance at the Inaugural Ball on Jan. 21, 2013, at the Washington Convention Center. Carolyn Kaster, AP
Biden, left, and Republican vice presidential nominee Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., gesture after the Oct. 11, 2012, vice presidential debate at Centre College in Danville, Ky. Pool photo by Michael Reynolds
Biden visits with patrons during lunch at Cruisers Diner on Sept. 9, 2012, in Seaman, Ohio. Carolyn Kaster, AP
Biden delivers his acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention on Sept. 6, 2012, in Charlotte, N.C. H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY
The vice president serves up a cone at Kopp's Frozen Custard on June 25, 2010, in Milwaukee. Biden was in Milwaukee for a fund raiser for Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis. Morry Gash, AP
Biden greets spectators at the men's ski jumping competition on Feb. 13, 2010, at Whistler Olympic Park in Whistler, B.C. Christopher Gannon, USA TODAY
Biden and his wife, Jill, dance on Jan. 20, 2009, at the Commander in Chief's Ball on inauguration night in Washington. Gerald Herbert, AP
Biden and Sarah Palin participate in an Oct. 2, 2008, vice presidential debate at Washington University in St. Louis, Mo. Pool photo by Rick Wilking
Biden and his son, Beau, at the Democratic National Convention in Denver on Aug. 27, 2008. Matthew Cavanaugh, European Pressphoto Agency
Biden addresses the Democratic National Convention on Aug. 27, 2008, at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo. Rob Curtis, USA TODAY
Biden holds up a 1972 "Life" magazine with his picture in it after speaking to the Nashua Rotary Club in Nashua, N.H., on Aug. 13, 2008. Cheryl Senter, AP
Biden speaks during a news conference about the agenda and priorities of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 24, 2008. MICHAEL SCHWARTZ, GNS
Biden rests his head on the shoulder of his wife, Jill, as they wait in a hallway for his introduction at a Jan. 3, 2008, rally at the United Auto Workers' Hall in Dubuque, Iowa. Mark Hirsch, AP
Biden talks with then-senator Barack Obama before the start of the first Democratic presidential primary debate on April 26, 2007, at South Carolina State University in Orangeburg. J. Scott Applewhite, AP
Biden speaks to law students at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, on April 3, 2007. KEVIN SANDERS, AP
Then-senators Obama and Biden confer during a Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Capitol Hill on April 11, 2005, on John Bolton's nomination to be ambassador to the United Nations. DENNIS COOK, AP
Biden, left, holds up a bottle of Andro Fuel, a type of steroid, during a news conference at the Department of Health and Human Services in Washington on March 11, 2004. Standing with Biden is Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah. Susan Walsh, AP
Biden introduces America Online CEO Steve Case to media and children at the Eastern Boys & Girls Club in Southeast Washington, D.C., on Feb. 10, 2000. Biden announced his plan to put new computers with Internet access in Boys & Girls Clubs across the country. Heather Martin Morrissey, GNS
Biden holds up a government booklet on drug and crime issues while questioning Attorney General Janet Reno during a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee to discuss Justice Department operations on April 30, 1997, on Capitol Hill. Joe Marquette, AP
Then-senator Biden attends a baseball antirust hearing on Feb. 21, 1995, in Washington. Tim Dillon, USA TODAY
Biden stands on stage with his wife, Jill, and sons Hunter, left, and Beau, along with his father, Joe Biden Sr., during a campaign event in 1988. AP
In this Aug. 1, 1987, file photo, 6-year-old Ashley Biden gets a taste of campaigning with her dad, in Des Moines, Iowa. AP
Biden waves from his train on June 9, 1987, as he leaves Wilmington, Del., after announcing his candidacy for president. George Widman, AP
Biden is photographed with his sons Hunter, left, and Beau around 1972. AP
Biden is pictured in his official Senate portrait from the mid-1970s. AP
Biden is pictured at age 10. AP
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