Why is Joe Biden doing so well in all these early polls against other Democrats?

[Cyrusman]

Reading about Biden on Atlas I’ve read a lot about how he’s overrated, and doesn’t energize minority’s or younger voters the way other candidates can. Also in his previous presedential bids he did very poorly. In addition he would be the oldest president by far ever sworn in.

Having said all of that why is he polling so well against other democrats when he hasn’t even declared yet? Even here on Atlas I see most posters giving him landslide victories against Trump in a hypothetical matchup.

If he did declare, what would need to happen for his poll numbers to drop against the other decorcrats?

[S019]

I think his old somewhat comservative positions would become an issue. But his base is white Democrats and I see him outdoing Sanders there, but I think minority voters carry Kamala Harris to the nomination.


In other words, he won’t crash and burn, but probably will be painted as too conservative to be nominated

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Name_recognition

[Sirius_]

Because people like him.
Since you seem new, I'd like to let you know that Atlas takes should be taken with a grain of salt.

[Stand With Israel. Crush Hamas]

He's a very good politician and he has his wing of the party to himself right now, but don't discount the impact of the Obama halo as well.

[junior chįmp]

He only does well in polls where his name is mentioned...in open ended polls...hes at like 8%

At this point its name recognition

[Amenhotep Bakari-Sellers]

Due to fact he can attract minorities and WWC. Himself, Booker and Harris are close. I suspect that he may decide not to run due to fact, he doesn't want to get in their way. 

He can still campaign for Dems, not as a candidate

[Roronoa D. Law]

Name recognition but we're getting to the point where enough people are running and his numbers haven't really fallen to earth yet so there is some real support in there. At this point, we just don't know it could be like 2008 or like 2004.

[MAINEiac4434]

Reminder that joe Lieberman led in the polls at this point in 2003.

[Mr. Smith]

Name recognition but we're getting to the point where enough people are running and his numbers haven't really fallen to earth yet so there is some real support in there. At this point, we just don't know it could be like 2008 or like 2004.

The campaigns also haven't started yet, especially not his.

Remember, Romney and Jeb! led everything 4 years ago until the latter said no and Cruz actually jumped in and started campaigning...not even going into The Cheeto in the Room that entered in July.

[ON Progressive]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Name_recognition

[Mister Mets]

He has high name recognition in a crowded field.

Potential voters also like him for different reasons. Older Democrats like the guy with establishment credentials and experience. Obama supporters see someone who served admirably in his administration. Those who want to win think he has appeal in important regions.

He's untainted by the 2016 loss since he wasn't running for office at the time, and he handled a tragedy with dignity.

[John Dule]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Name_recognition

First good post I've seen you make on this site.

[I Can Now Die Happy]

Never ever forget that there is an incredibly large portion of the electorate who barely thinks this much about candidates this early in the cycle, in the same way that you probably barely think of the concept of Halloween, what to dress as on that day, and what places to go to until October rolls around.

[Progressive Pessimist]

Name recognition. If it's not that, then all of us on this forum are severely wrong in thinking that he's overrated and will implode in the primary.

[SCNCmod]

Name ID & Obama coattails.  I think these early numbers would likely fall once we get closer to Iowa & NH.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

Reminder that joe Lieberman led in the polls at this point in 2003.

I remember when Joementum meant that you won a 4 way tie for 2nd place in Delaware. That sounds like a perfect feat for Biden to replicate.

[Rookie Yinzer]

Name ID & Obama coattails.  I think these early numbers would likely fall once we get closer to Iowa & NH.

After the first few debates. Biden will be the main topic of discussion and will have to defend his right wing policies.

[Podgy the Bear]

Reminder that joe Lieberman led in the polls at this point in 2003.

Joe Biden is not Joe Lieberman.  This is not just a name recognition game going into March 2019.  Biden carries a significant reservoir of good will by most Democrats and many independents--which will be critical in defeating Trump next year.   He continues to do well in the early polls, as the response to the currently declared candidates is quite underwhelming.   

[Xing]

People think about Obama and the pre-Trump years when Biden is brought up. Right now, he's seen as a safe, sane, electable choice. Whether or not he remains to be seen that way is a different story.

[Grassroots]

In other words, he won’t crash and burn, but probably will be painted as too conservative to be nominated

If that really does happen the democratic party will have reached the end. Joe Biden, too conservative?? ROFL

[S019]

In other words, he won’t crash and burn, but probably will be painted as too conservative to be nominated

If that really does happen the democratic party will have reached the end. Joe Biden, too conservative?? ROFL

Yes but many Democrats, including Atlas Democrats, rip Biden for decades old positions on LGBT rights and civil rights, and for the Anita Hill hearings that were more than 25 years ago. Joe Biden has also been quite hawkish, and many Dems do not like that.

It is sad how Democrats have drifted from people like Jimmy Carter and Scoop Jackson to Bernie Sanders and Kamala Harris. Joe Biden had been a Senator from 1973-2009, many Dems find his positions in the 70s and 80s as unacceptable. This is even more shocking, because no one mentioned that Hillary Clinton backed Goldwater in 1964. The liberals have hijacked the party. The Dems socialist platform deserves to be defeated in November

[junior chįmp]

In other words, he won’t crash and burn, but probably will be painted as too conservative to be nominated

If that really does happen the democratic party will have reached the end. Joe Biden, too conservative?? ROFL

Yes but many Democrats, including Atlas Democrats, rip Biden for decades old positions on LGBT rights and civil rights, and for the Anita Hill hearings that were more than 25 years ago. Joe Biden has also been quite hawkish, and many Dems do not like that.

It is sad how Democrats have drifted from people like Jimmy Carter and Scoop Jackson to Bernie Sanders and Kamala Harris. Joe Biden had been a Senator from 1973-2009, many Dems find his positions in the 70s and 80s as unacceptable. This is even more shocking, because no one mentioned that Hillary Clinton backed Goldwater in 1964. The liberals have hijacked the party. The Dems socialist platform deserves to be defeated in November

Lol..."Democrats better stop catering to their base and instead cater to that mythical unicorn known as moderate voters who wake up every morning with a thirst for centrism"

[dw93]

The Memes that came out after the 2016 election.

[Xing]

"How dare the Democratic Party move to the left instead of being centrist!" - The right-wing Tea Party GOP that fully embraced Trump