The biggest question facing Democrats as they select a candidate for November’s presidential election is: “Who can defeat Donald Trump?”. In a poll conducted this month by YouGov, on behalf of The Economist, over two-thirds of Democratic primary voters across the country said it was more important to nominate a candidate “who can win the general election in November” than one “who agrees with [their] position on most issues.” To do that their best bet is to try to win back so-called “Obama-Trump” voters—traditional Democrats who voted for President Donald Trump in 2016.
On this measure, Joe Biden, the former vice-president, may be their strongest option. Polls suggest Mr Biden would fare better than his competitors against Mr Trump in the general election. This has fuelled his claim of being the most electable primary candidate on the ballot.