More still think their financial situation would be better under Trump than Biden.
While Republican primary voters think Donald Trump is their best shot in November, it’s Nikki Haley who right now holds a bigger lead over Joe Biden than either Trump or Ron DeSantis in potential head-to-head match-ups.
In fact, as the GOP presidential nomination kicks off, Trump, Haley and DeSantis all have at least a slight national edge on President Biden right now, were they to emerge as his challenger. (Haley and DeSantis have tougher roads to get that chance, of course, since they trail Trump substantially in the race for the nomination.) What’s behind Haley’s lead?
Here’s why Haley has such a lead over Biden: She draws more moderates and independents and more voters with college degrees than Trump does against Biden.
She also peels off more 2020 Biden supporters than either Trump or DeSantis does, and erases Mr. Biden’s edge with women.
Haley runs even with Mr. Biden on some key traits: she polls about even among those looking for a president who shows empathy and is open to compromise — qualities that large majorities of voters say is important to them.
And Haley does just as well as Trump and DeSantis, if not a little better, among voters who say showing toughness is important.
