The Democrat part is very divided over this.
A week after a New York jury convicted former President Trump of falsifying business records, Democrats are grappling with the potential impact on President Biden’s re-election prospects in November.
Following the guilty verdict, Trump’s campaign announced a $35 million fundraising surge, with over $140 million raised in May. Prominent Republicans, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), have rallied to Trump’s defense, bolstering his support within the GOP.
Biden and his allies aim to leverage the conviction to galvanize Democrats and sway voters against Trump. Biden has started referring to Trump as a convicted felon in his speeches.
Despite this strategy, Democrats are uncertain whether Trump’s unprecedented conviction will significantly boost Biden’s chances in what is expected to be a close election. Democratic lobbyist and donor Steve Elmendorf expressed that while the conviction might marginally benefit Biden by energizing a small segment of voters, it also temporarily boosts enthusiasm among Trump’s base without attracting new supporters.
The New York jury convicted Trump on all counts of falsifying business records related to concealing alleged affairs during his 2016 campaign.
When asked by ABC’s David Muir about the conviction’s impact on the election, Biden responded that it’s up to the public to decide. At a Connecticut fundraiser, Biden labeled Trump a convicted felon and used this label in campaign communications.
However, some are skeptical of this approach, given Trump’s history of weathering scandals. A former Biden campaign aide noted that despite the stigma of being a convicted felon, Americans had already accepted Trump’s controversial persona when they elected him in 2016. The real question is whether they will do so again.
Recent polls indicate that Trump’s support remains stable post-conviction. An Emerson College poll showed Trump’s support among registered voters unchanged at 46 percent. Additionally, a quarter of voters reported being more likely to support Trump following the conviction.
A New York Times/Siena College poll revealed a slight decline in Trump’s lead over Biden, with his advantage narrowing from 3 percent to 1 percent after the verdict.
Jim Kessler, executive vice president for policy at Third Way, noted that while there has been some movement away from Trump, it is unclear if this marks a turning point in the race.
A source close to the Biden campaign stated that the election will be tight and decided on key issues between Biden and Trump, irrespective of Trump’s criminal record.
Meanwhile, Biden is also dealing with the legal troubles of his son, Hunter Biden, who faces trial on gun charges. Biden has stated he will not pardon his son and will accept the trial’s outcome, contrasting Trump’s claims of a rigged trial against him.
Biden criticized Trump’s allegations of a rigged trial as undermining the rule of law. He emphasized the importance of respecting the verdict, a sentiment that appears to resonate with independent voters. A CBS News/YouGov poll found that most independents believe Trump received a fair trial.
Some argue that Trump’s conviction might ultimately benefit Biden by underscoring Trump’s legal troubles. A former White House staffer suggested that running against a candidate with multiple criminal convictions is advantageous for Biden.
As the election approaches, the dynamics of how Trump’s conviction will play out in voters’ minds remain to be seen.