1 big thing: Trump's "final battle"

2. D.C.'s centrist fight over 2024

Illustration of green army figurines surrounding a paper ballot going into a red election slot over a blue background.

3. Trump's Hillary comparison

4. Bill Barr: Trump is "not a victim" 

Alexi McCammond here, filling in for my colleague Josh Kraushaar. Thanks for joining Sunday Sneak Peek, our weekly look ahead at the forces shaping American politics.

Smart Brevity™ count: 1,385 words, a 5-minute read.

New ABC News/Ipsos poll: 48% of Americans think former President Trump should have been indicted over his mishandling of classified docs, while 35% think he should not have been; 17% said they do not know. 

Thanks for starting your week with us. This newsletter was copy edited by Kathie Bozanich.

Sneak Peek

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blue

Take a look at both ends of Penn Ave — and our best scoops

Axios Sneak Peek

Standard

1 big thing: GOP's incredible shrinking lanes

Illustration of Republican elephant wearing Trump wig

2. 👀 Biden's thorny summit — take two

3. 🔎 Scoop: Jordan demands answers on ICE's low deportations

4. 📊 Dems' preferred candidate: "Don't know"

5. 📰 Sign of the times 

Welcome back to Sneak. Smart Brevity™ count: 980 words ... 3.5 minutes.

⚡ Situational awareness: Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), who led bipartisan gun talks last year, said the Senate has "gone about as far as we can go" when asked about a legislative response to today's school shooting in Nashville, Tennessee.

📬 Thanks for reading tonight. This newsletter was copy edited by Kathie Bozanich.

1 big thing: Axios 8 update — Democrats aren't running the table

A map of the United States with the Axios 8 states highlighted

2. Democrats' big challenge: white men without college degrees

3. Ad of the week: "Stop the Trumpadas"  

4. Tom Steyer: It's a "failed year" if Dems don't flip the House

5. Suburban women breaking for Dems on gun control

6. What the 2006 and 2010 midterms can tell us about 2018

7. Trail pic of the week: Will Ferrell knocking doors in GA

We're one week out from the Nov. 6 midterm elections. 🚨🚨🚨

Election

Axios 2018

1 big thing: Election Day nerves

Exclusive poll: Trump gets credit on the economy, Republicans don't

What a midterms split would mean for 2020

Ad of the week: Trump's infamous caravan ad

Early voting numbers have skyrocketed

Democratic women have a better shot at the House

Trail pic of the week: Ted Cruz in Texas

🗳️ Happy Election Day! It's finally here. Make time to vote, and bring your friends. 🗳️

1 big thing: Tim Scott's gift to Democrats

2. 💥 GOP saves fireworks for floor debates

3. 👀 '24 candidates rebuff GOP pledge

4. 🏛️ One year without Roe

👋🏽 Alexi McCammond here, filling in for my colleague Josh Kraushaar. Thanks for joining Sunday Sneak Peek, our weekly look ahead at the forces shaping American politics.

Smart Brevity™ count: 1,196 words, a 4½-minute read.

📬 Thanks for starting your week with us. This newsletter was copy edited by Kathie Bozanich.

National

Sen. Tim Scott's (R-S.C.) longshot presidential campaign is making it easier for Democrats to confirm judges, voting records reveal.

Why it matters: Scott has missed four judicial votes so far, including one that would have forced Vice President Kamala Harris to break a 50-50 tie.

This will be an ongoing issue for the senator. Unlike in 2016, when four GOP senators ran for president, Scott is currently the only Republican from the upper chamber running in 2024.

The Senate margin of control is also much closer, raising the stakes for every missed vote.

After publication, a Scott campaign spokesperson provided a statement stressing that Scott "was not the deciding vote for any of Biden’s recent nominees."

What’s happening: Scott was the only senator to miss civil rights lawyer Dale Ho’s confirmation to be a federal judge in New York’s Southern District, spending the day campaigning in Iowa instead.

Ho was opposed by Republicans largely because of his opposition to voter ID measures.

At a town hall in Iowa the night before the vote on Ho, Scott decried Democrats’ attempts to undermine election integrity through expanding mail-in ballots, according to a person familiar with his remarks.

Scott was also the only senator absent for Casey Pitts' confirmation to become the first openly gay man to serve as a federal judge in San Francisco, though Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) joined all Democrats in voting "yes."

Between the lines: Although Scott has centered his campaign on the idea that America is not a racist country, he missed his chance to vote against yet another civil rights lawyer opposed by the right, Nusrat Choudhury. (Republican Sens. Tom Cotton of Arkansas and Eric Schmitt of Missouri also missed the vote.)

Choudhury, now a federal judge in New York, has expressed views that Scott's 2024 campaign is explicitly seeking to counter. "Policing and race are intertwined," she said in 2021 during a virtual lunch for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

Most recently, Scott didn't vote in the confirmation for Julie Rikelman, a longtime reproductive rights lawyer who will now be a federal judge in Boston.

The backdrop: Last week, Harris secured civil rights lawyer Natasha Merle's confirmation to be a federal judge in the Eastern District of New York after breaking a deadlocked vote. 

Scott was present and voted no — but Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) joined all Republicans in doing the same. (Graham was the only senator to miss that vote.)

The big picture: As president, Trump was laser-focused on stacking the courts with conservative judges and justices. He filled three vacancies on the Supreme Court, and 11 of his 30 appointees replaced Democratic appointees in his first two years, according to Brookings.

Go deeper: As Axios first reported, the White House in May unveiled a new strategy "to guide its judicial nominees through a tricky Senate process that has gotten harder with the prolonged absence of Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.)."

Editor's note: This story has been updated with comment from the Scott campaign.

Democrats have confirmed 4 judges during Tim Scott's campaign absences

One missed vote would have required VP Kamala Harris to break a tie.

Illustration of an empty chair at a desk in front of a name card that reads "Tim Scott."

Tim Scott

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Sen. Tim Scott&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/05/22/tim-scott-2024-presidential-election" data-vars-content-id="0823b570-4d27-4fcf-921f-0243602023bf" data-vars-headline="Democrats have confirmed 4 judges during Tim Scott&#x27;s campaign absences" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/05/22/tim-scott-2024-presidential-election" target="_self">Sen. Tim Scott&#x27;s</a> (R-S.C.) longshot presidential campaign is making it easier for Democrats to confirm judges, voting records reveal.Why it matters: Scott has missed four judicial votes so far, including one that would have forced Vice President Kamala Harris to break a 50-50 tie.

President Biden has made the COVID-19 crisis and a post-Trump return to national unity and traditional democratic ideals his top priorities. From vaccinations to stimulus to schools, Biden is seeking bipartisan compromise while showing a willingness to use executive authority and bare Democratic majorities in the U.S. House and Senate to implement his policies. Republican leaders are navigating deep party divisions over if and how to move beyond former President Trump.

Politics & Policy

A trio of pro-Biden groups are targeting disaffected Democratic voters with ads on pocketbook issues, ranging from utility bills to the cost of insulin.

Why it matters: It's part of a broader $20 million campaign inspired by Way to Win polling that found 78% of midterm voters couldn't name a single accomplishment of the Biden-Harris administration.

An earlier Washington Post-ABC poll found similar results: Over 60% of Americans surveyed said they think Biden hasn't achieved much at all.

Democrats worry that this knowledge gap gives the GOP more room to shape the narrative around Biden and the economy.  

Driving the news: The three groups — Way To Win Fund, Future Forward USA Action, and Climate Power — announced their joint partnership for a $20M ad blitz to boost President Biden last month, as first reported by the AP.

"Voters don’t know enough about what Biden has done," said Jenifer Fernandez Ancona, VP & Chief Strategy Officer at Way To Win. 

The ads tie Democratic messaging around democracy and freedom to economic issues, saying they've seen in polling and focus groups that those remain top issues for voters. 

The details: One ad highlights what Biden has done to limit the cost of insulin; another promotes the administration's work to create clean energy jobs and reduce pollution; the third spot makes a personal appeal, using Biden's middle-class upbringing to elevate his work to lower utility costs and health care costs. 

The groups tested 50 ads and conducted research between polling and focus groups to identify what Americans know about Democrats' wins — and which issues animate them most. 

“You need to say fewer things and say them more often. Repetition really matters because it creates cognitive ease," said Anat Shenker-Osorio, who wrote the ad copy and is a leading messaging consultant for Democratic groups and campaigns.

"A message more familiar to people is weighted to be more credible and likable because people recognize it,” Shenker-Osorio told Axios.

Between the lines: Health care has been a winning issue for Democrats in recent elections cycles, like the 2018 and 2022 midterms.

But Biden could face problems with climate voters and young people for backing fossil fuel projects, as Axios has reported.

What to watch: This round of ads will run for several weeks and hopes to reach voters across the Democratic electorate, but particularly those who might be more checked out or have been less involved over the years. 

Their strategy is to use better storytelling — not just a laundry list of policies — as a way to show Americans why they're doing what they've done. 

Instead of saying you support paid family leave, for example, Sheneker-Osorio said a more compelling message is that “you were there for the first time your child smiled.”

Biden accomplishments get new life in $20 million ad campaign

Polls show majorities of Americans can't name a single thing he's achieved.

President Biden signs the visitors book at the Irish President's residence. Photo: Charles McQuillan/Getty Images

Joe Biden

A trio of pro-Biden groups are targeting disaffected Democratic voters with ads on pocketbook issues, ranging from utility bills to the cost of insulin.Why it matters: It&#x27;s part of a broader $20 million campaign inspired by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Way to Win polling" data-vars-click-url="https://waytowin.docsend.com/view/nrabirg652v7gpm7" data-vars-content-id="270fb317-8a11-4da5-ae15-e9a3049be453" data-vars-headline="Biden accomplishments get new life in $20 million ad campaign" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://waytowin.docsend.com/view/nrabirg652v7gpm7" target="_blank">Way to Win polling</a> that found 78% of midterm voters couldn&#x27;t name a single accomplishment of the Biden-Harris administration.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' positions on LGBTQ issues aren't landing with a group of Minnesota swing voters, with several describing him as a "wannabe dictator" in our latest Engagious/Sago focus groups. 

Why it matters: The culture wars that have boosted DeSantis' popularity in Florida (and now, he hopes, nationally) are already souring his image with some voters in a key Midwestern state.

The big picture: These voters are looking for an alternative to both President Biden and former President Trump — but they're not interested in the right-wing ideas that DeSantis campaigns on, instead citing crime and the economy as their top concerns in 2024.

Axios sat in on two online focus groups Tuesday night with 13 Minnesotans who voted for Trump in 2016 and Biden in 2020. Nine identify as independent, three as Republican and one as a Democrat.

While a focus group is not a statistically significant sample like a poll, the responses show how some voters are thinking and talking about current events.

Zoom in: No one said they're more likely to vote for DeSantis after being shown a video, shared by his campaign online, that portrays him as an anti-LGBTQ crusader.

All but three described the video as "troubling." 

Four voters admitted they simply didn't know enough about the governor to offer an opinion, but the rest who knew him didn't like him.

“Minnesota swing voters fall into two camps; either they don’t know what DeSantis is saying, or they don’t like it,” said Rich Thau, president of Engagious, who moderated the focus groups.

What they're saying: Respondents described him as a "wild card" and "unpredictable," with some, like Felipe I., dismissing his campaign attempts as inauthentic: "It looks like he's just trying to get the Trump base."

Others had a harsher view of the governor: "We saw what happened in Germany 80 years ago," said Jeff D., making a reference to Hitler's rise.

Amber H. echoed the voter who called DeSantis a "wannabe dictator" after watching the video and likened his vision to that of a dictatorship. "He just wants to take over and not work for the people, is really isolating and he'll do what he wants how he wants it."

"The video makes it seem like DeSantis is proud to be anti-trans," said Mike K.  

Another, Mark B., was disturbed by what he saw as "pure hate" from DeSantis toward the LGBTQ community. 

Some, like Cyndi H., said that DeSantis is out of step with the country. "In today's day, we are more open than we ever have been and to be that far on the other side of it I think is just kind of ridiculous."

Between the lines: It's still very early in the Republican presidential primary, but DeSantis' steady second-place polling has made him the likeliest Trump alternative so far.

Seven of the 13 voters said that they'd ditch Biden in favor of "a generic, middle-aged, white, male, Republican governor with mainstream conservative views," when asked about that hypothetical matchup by the moderator. 

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Focus groups: Minnesota swing voters reject DeSantis culture wars

"The video makes it seem like DeSantis is proud to be anti-trans," said Mike K.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, joined by his wife, Casey, and their son, walks in a Fourth of July parade in Wolfeboro, N.H. Photo: Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Images

Ron DeSantis

Florida Gov. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ron DeSantis&#x27;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/07/12/desantis-2024-election-fox-news" data-vars-content-id="65e66fa5-7499-4508-be9b-aa7bcc310ce5" data-vars-headline="Focus groups: Minnesota swing voters reject DeSantis culture wars" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/07/12/desantis-2024-election-fox-news" target="_self">Ron DeSantis&#x27;</a> positions on LGBTQ issues aren&#x27;t landing with a group of Minnesota swing voters, with several describing him as a &quot;wannabe dictator&quot; in our latest <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Engagious/Sago" data-vars-click-url="https://engagious.com/swingvoters" data-vars-content-id="65e66fa5-7499-4508-be9b-aa7bcc310ce5" data-vars-headline="Focus groups: Minnesota swing voters reject DeSantis culture wars" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://engagious.com/swingvoters" target="_blank">Engagious/Sago</a> focus groups. Why it matters: The culture wars that have boosted DeSantis&#x27; popularity in Florida (and now, he hopes, nationally) are already souring his image with some voters in a key Midwestern state.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. began his Democratic campaign against President Biden by criticizing the ties between government and corporate power. Two months later, Kennedy's being embraced by high-profile conservatives eager to air his anti-vaccination views — and to tweak Biden.

Why it matters: Democratic voters have made clear in polls that they're open to a Biden alternative. But as many voters have learned more about Kennedy, his support appears to have dipped in some polls — and Biden remains the overwhelming favorite to win the Democratic nomination.

Zoom in: Kennedy is from one of America's most prominent political families but acknowledged in his announcement speech in April that "I'm not one of those people who say, 'I've got to be careful, because one day I'm going to be in the White House.' "

He was banned from various social media platforms during the pandemic, accused of spreading misinformation about vaccines. 

Just this week, YouTube removed a video interview he did with conservative host Jordan Peterson, saying it violated its policy against sharing vaccine misinformation. 

Kennedy often criticized social distancing measures, once suggesting that lockdowns gave Americans fewer freedoms than Jews had in Nazi Germany. (He later apologized.)

He wrote a book in 2021 ripping into Anthony Fauci and the CDC, and in 2019 — before the pandemic — his own family publicly criticized him over his stance on vaccines. 

Driving the news: Kennedy's position on vaccines and opposition to the war in Ukraine — along with his potential to cause heartburn for Biden — has drawn praise from some conservatives. In some cases, he's been given a microphone to reach voters who don't usually hear from Democrats.

Tucker Carlson dedicated the latest episode of his Twitter show Thursday to boosting Kennedy's candidacy, calling him the mainstream media's most-hated candidate.

Trump allies Steve Bannon and Rudy Giuliani have been vocal about their interest in Kennedy's campaign.

Kennedy's appearance on Joe Rogan's podcast last weekend sparked a pressure campaign against a prominent vaccine scientist — who has since received death threats. 

Now, Rogan, Elon Musk and others are offering to donate more than $250,000 to charity if the scientist, Peter Hotez, agrees to debate Kennedy on Rogan's show.

Next week, Kennedy will take questions from South Carolina and New Hampshire voters during a town hall hosted by NewsNation in Chicago. 

He'll also speak at an event for Moms for Liberty, which has been labeled an "extremist" group by the Southern Poverty Law Center for “seeking to undermine public education holistically and to divide communities."

And next month, the GOP-led House panel examining the alleged "weaponization" of government is planning to call Kennedy to testify about censorship. 

Yes, but: A recent CNN poll found that among those Democrats who supported Kennedy, 20% said it was because of his family name. At the same time, 36% said they wouldn't support him "under any circumstances," compared to 14% for Biden.

The big picture: For now, Biden's campaign is ignoring Kennedy. 

Some Biden allies worry, however, that the possibility Kennedy could win the first two contests of the primary season — in Iowa and New Hampshire — could be a bad look for the president. 

Biden's team is indicating he won't be on the ballots in those states if they vote before South Carolina, his choice to have the first Democratic primary.

Several swing voter focus groups conducted by Axios have found a deep concern with the 80-year-old president's age. One group — in Georgia — said they wanted to see Biden debate Kennedy to prove his mental acuity. 

RFK Jr.: Conservatives' favorite 2024 Democrat

Kennedy is being embraced by high-profile conservatives eager to air his anti-vaccination views — and to tweak Biden.

Photo: Lisa Lake/Getty Images for SiriusXM

2024 presidential election

2024 Elections

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Robert F. Kennedy Jr." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/05/24/us-president-elections-2024-candidates" data-vars-content-id="a890ff38-34cd-4c9e-8672-b4501ade58cb" data-vars-headline="RFK Jr.: Conservatives&#x27; favorite 2024 Democrat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/05/24/us-president-elections-2024-candidates" target="_self">Robert F. Kennedy Jr.</a> began his Democratic campaign against <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="President Biden" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/joe-biden" data-vars-content-id="a890ff38-34cd-4c9e-8672-b4501ade58cb" data-vars-headline="RFK Jr.: Conservatives&#x27; favorite 2024 Democrat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/joe-biden" target="_self">President Biden</a> by criticizing the ties between government and corporate power. Two months later, Kennedy&#x27;s being embraced by high-profile conservatives eager to air his anti-vaccination views — and to tweak Biden.Why it matters: Democratic voters have made clear in polls that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="they&#x27;re open" data-vars-click-url="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/dems-split-on-biden-2024-but-most-would-back-him-ap-norc-poll" data-vars-content-id="a890ff38-34cd-4c9e-8672-b4501ade58cb" data-vars-headline="RFK Jr.: Conservatives&#x27; favorite 2024 Democrat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/dems-split-on-biden-2024-but-most-would-back-him-ap-norc-poll" target="_blank">they&#x27;re open</a> to a Biden alternative. But as many voters have learned more about Kennedy, his support appears to have <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="dipped" data-vars-click-url="https://www.newsweek.com/robert-kennedy-jr-rfk-polls-latest-update-1808091" data-vars-content-id="a890ff38-34cd-4c9e-8672-b4501ade58cb" data-vars-headline="RFK Jr.: Conservatives&#x27; favorite 2024 Democrat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.newsweek.com/robert-kennedy-jr-rfk-polls-latest-update-1808091" target="_blank">dipped</a> in some polls — and Biden remains the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="overwhelming favorite" data-vars-click-url="https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/polls/president-primary-d/2024/national/" data-vars-content-id="a890ff38-34cd-4c9e-8672-b4501ade58cb" data-vars-headline="RFK Jr.: Conservatives&#x27; favorite 2024 Democrat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/polls/president-primary-d/2024/national/" target="_blank">overwhelming favorite</a> to win the Democratic nomination.

President Biden's age is a real problem for some North Carolina swing voters who backed him in 2020, and there's next to nothing he can do to assuage those concerns, according to our latest Engagious/Sago focus groups.

Why it matters: These voters, who backed Biden in 2020 after supporting former President Trump in 2016, said they feel "concerned," "exhausted," and without "confidence" whenever they watch Biden trip over his words (or a sandbag).

But although they're hyper-focused on his older age, nine of the 11 focus group participants said they'd vote for the 80-year-old Biden in a rematch against Trump, who turned 77 on Wednesday.

Driving the news: Axios observed two online focus groups on Monday with 11 North Carolinians. They were a mix of three registered Democrats, one registered Republican, and seven independents.

Although a focus group is not a statistically significant sample like a poll, the responses show how some voters are thinking and talking about current events.

Zoom in: Biden's public appearances are even more important to them than what a doctor says about his health. 

When his doctors at Walter Reed have released reports after routine checkups that say "everything is fine," Kathy K., said she doesn't believe it. "They just tell you what you want to hear." 

There wasn't much interest in having an outside group of Republican doctors evaluate Biden.

"I think it’s more his public persona that gets him in trouble," said 59-year-old Keith B. "I’m a 'show-me-don’t-tell-me' kind of guy."

Between the lines: Voters struggled to find a suitable answer to whether there is anything Biden could do to ease their fears around his age. 

"The only thing he could do is maybe select a vice president that is more experienced and kind of more solid," said Tatiana D., 51. 

Two others said that seeing his public speaking improve could potentially help. "He needs to look and sound more coherent. Sometimes he rambles and stumbles on his words," Scott S., 59, offered.

Eric N., 43, said: "Maybe if he held more press conferences where it seemed like he was fully understanding everything going on and not seem like he was in a cloud at points, that might help."

The big picture: These North Carolinians said that Biden's age makes him out of step with modern America.

Most experience negative emotions when they see or hear him speak, and they want Biden to debate any other Democratic primary challenger to prove his mental capacity.

”When it comes to President Biden’s age, swing voters view him with a mix of concern and contempt,” said Rich Thau, president of Engagious, who moderated the focus groups. “They hold Biden’s evident stiffness, shuffling, and speech impediments against him, even when doctors certify he is capable to handle the job.”

Yes, but: Most were concerned about Trump's age, but it's not their main issue with him. One said that Trump seems "smart" and "sharp."

Their main issue with Trump is the drama. "A big part of my hesitation with Trump is the controversial things that have come to light and how he carries himself," said Danielle R., 28. 

What to watch: The 37-count federal indictment over Trump's mishandling of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago is the latest controversy making the leading Republican candidate radioactive with many of these voters. 

Participants said they felt a mix of "embarrassment" for the country, "concern" for our national security, and "disgusted" and "outraged" at his alleged actions.

One voter, Laura P., 37, said the indictment isn't a big deal to her "because I'm sure he has lawyers that will handle it properly."

The bottom line: While seven of the 11 voters said there might be some political motives behind the indictment, they didn't like other 2024 GOP candidates who called it a "weaponization" of the Justice Department or shifted the blame to Biden. 

When showed reactions to the indictment from six of the candidates, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson's statement (that Trump should end his campaign) got the most support (eight of the 11). 

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and former Vice President Mike Pence were also well-received, for similar reasons. One voter particularly liked that Pence's statement wasn't "inflammatory" and that he wasn't "outright saying the Justice Department is going after Trump." 

Another liked that Christie plainly said Trump's "not presidential behavior" sets a "bad example for now and in the future."

The other side: The Biden re-elect team reiterated that North Carolina is a target state and pointed out that they aired TV ads there during the second week of the campaign.

Go deeper ... Focus group: Georgia swing voters want Biden to debate

http://www.engagious.com/

Focus group: Georgia swing voters want Biden to debate 

Focus groups: North Carolina swing voters "concerned" by Biden's age

They backed him in 2020, but now they're ready for a new generation.

President <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Biden&#x27;s age" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/06/11/biden-age-liability-2024-david-axelrod" data-vars-content-id="eafaceb4-88a9-4920-8299-fd059dfca4a6" data-vars-headline="Focus groups: North Carolina swing voters &quot;concerned&quot; by Biden&#x27;s age" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/06/11/biden-age-liability-2024-david-axelrod" target="_self">Biden&#x27;s age</a> is a real problem for some North Carolina swing voters who backed him in 2020, and there&#x27;s next to nothing he can do to assuage those concerns, according to our latest <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Engagious/Sago" data-vars-click-url="https://engagious.com/swingvoters" data-vars-content-id="eafaceb4-88a9-4920-8299-fd059dfca4a6" data-vars-headline="Focus groups: North Carolina swing voters &quot;concerned&quot; by Biden&#x27;s age" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://engagious.com/swingvoters" target="_blank">Engagious/Sago</a> focus groups.Why it matters: These voters, who backed Biden in 2020 after supporting <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="former President Trump" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" data-vars-content-id="eafaceb4-88a9-4920-8299-fd059dfca4a6" data-vars-headline="Focus groups: North Carolina swing voters &quot;concerned&quot; by Biden&#x27;s age" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" target="_self">former President Trump</a> in 2016, said they feel &quot;concerned,&quot; &quot;exhausted,&quot; and without &quot;confidence&quot; whenever they watch Biden trip over his words (<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="or a sandbag" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/article/biden-fall-trip-air-force-stage-sandbag-79427949848742048600171770e33bc9" data-vars-content-id="eafaceb4-88a9-4920-8299-fd059dfca4a6" data-vars-headline="Focus groups: North Carolina swing voters &quot;concerned&quot; by Biden&#x27;s age" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-fall-trip-air-force-stage-sandbag-79427949848742048600171770e33bc9" target="_blank">or a sandbag</a>).

Alexi McCammond

Stories

Focus groups: Minnesota swing voters reject DeSantis culture wars

Democrats have confirmed 4 judges during Tim Scott's campaign absences

RFK Jr.: Conservatives' favorite 2024 Democrat

Focus groups: North Carolina swing voters "concerned" by Biden's age

Biden accomplishments get new life in $20 million ad campaign

Newsletter editions

👀 GOP's fizzling loyalty pledge

Trump's "final battle"

🐘 Trump transforms primary

Axios 2018: Election Day nerves — Trump doesn't help GOP on economy — What it means for 2020

Axios 2018: Democrats aren't running the table — Their biggest problem — Suburban women and gun control