Trump and DeSantis would beat Biden if election were held today

The hidden documents scandal has cost the president of the United States dearly. A recent Harvard CAPS-Harris poll indicates that, if the election were held today, both Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis would be projected to defeat Biden in the general election.

Encuesta sobre el apoyo a los candidatos republicanos y demócratas en las elecciones by VozMedia on Scribd

Of the survey's 2,050 respondents, 65% believe Biden should not run again in 2024. Just the News reports that 46% said they would support Trump compared to just 41% for Biden, while 13% said they were "uncertain." The five-point lead is the same that Trump showed in the poll in December.

The margin is somewhat lower in the case of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, although he is also projected to beat Biden if the election were held today, receiving 42% of support compared to Biden's 39%.

Trump the clear GOP favorite

What the survey does conclude, according to The Hill, is that Trump is the preferred candidate for Republican voters, receiving 48% of support to DeSantis' 28%. Although, the survey's Co-Director Mark Penn is not sure this advantage will hold up as time goes on: "Trump has strengthened somewhat but Ron DeSantis continues to strengthen as well. Trump is ahead but already has every vote he can get — DeSantis is the candidate of potential."

Penn's opinion relies on data from both this poll and the one conducted in December. Compared to the poll conducted a month ago, DeSantis had gained three percentage points while Trump's support was stagnant.

In addition, the poll, conducted between Jan. 18 and 19, assures that DeSantis would be a clear favorite to get the nod for Republicans if Trump were not running, with 49% of the vote. None of the other potential candidates even reached 10%. Mike Pence was projected 7%, Nikki Haley 3% and Mike Pompeo just 1% support from the voters polled.