U.S. President Joe Biden’s costly debate performance left the door ajar for Donald Trump to make a play in multiple blue states.
But following the assassination attempt on the former president over the weekend in Pennsylvania, and his appearance at the Republican National Convention just two days later, Trump has kicked the door wide open.
His team and the GOP have been focused on tearing down the blue wall that Biden built back up for Democrats with his 2020 win.
And their demolition has been successful in the wake of the debate with Biden’s help, given the president has rebuffed calls from some in his party, as well as his staunchest supporters, to quit the race.
On night two of the RNC, CNN correspondent John King reported Trump could realistically get 330 electoral votes, leading to a victory in November.
He called it “more bad news” for Biden, whose approval ratings in battleground states are now below 40.
King delivered the network’s latest polling data, which showed Trump in the lead.
“The state of the race on night two of the Republican convention is Donald Trump is leading in this race,” King said. “Significantly, if you look deep into the polling. He has a chance to build on it.”
The CNN polling data showed Trump leading in swing states including Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Arizona and Nebraska, though King also pointed out that concerned Democrats are saying Biden should be spending more time in Virginia and New Hampshire, where the race is getting tight.
King also noted a “striking” contrast between the 2020 election, when Biden won with 306 electoral votes compared to Trump’s 232, and the upcoming 2024 election.
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While it isn’t a done deal, King listed how things are “very bad for the president right now,” from his approval rating, ballot number, people’s view on his age and the state of the economy, and how Trump has the opportunity with the RNC to build even more momentum.
“Donald Trump is in command,” King said. “The numbers are getting worse for the president.”
He added: “Donald Trump is on a viable path as of today to get to 330 electoral votes. Or even higher.”