Biden reportedly thinks he has the best chance to beat Trump

Former Vice President Joe Biden. Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images

Former Vice President Joe Biden will make a decision on whether he plans to run for president in 2020 soon and has told allies that he thinks he is the Democratic Party's best chance to defeat President Trump, the New York Times reports.

Why it matters: Biden is the Democrat that Trump fears most in 2020, believing that he could steal away Rust Belt voters in states like Pennsylvania, Axios' Mike Allen reported last year. But a centrist Biden run — from a 76-year-old white man — could prompt a schism in a Democratic Party that's increasingly influenced by progressive ideals, especially with multiple female and minority candidates expected to jump into the 2020 race.

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Axios
Updated 4 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

  1. Health: Large coronavirus outbreaks leading to high death rates — Coronavirus cases are at an all-time high ahead of Election Day — Fauci says U.S. may not return to normal until 2022
  2. Politics: Space Force's No. 2 general tests positive for coronavirus
  3. World: Taiwan reaches a record 200 days with no local coronavirus cases
  4. Europe faces "stronger and deadlier" wave — France imposes lockdown — Germany to close bars and restaurants for a month.
  5. Sports: Boston Marathon delayed — MLB to investigate Dodgers player who joined celebration after positive COVID test.
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Caitlin Owens, author of Vitals
12 mins ago - Health

Large coronavirus outbreaks leading to high death rates

Data: The COVID Tracking Project; Chart: Sara Wise/Axios

Many of the states where coronavirus cases have recently skyrocketed are also seeing the highest death rates in the nation, a painful reminder that wherever the virus goes, death eventually follows.

Between the lines: Deaths usually lag behind cases by a few weeks. Given America's record-high case counts, it's reasonable to expect that death rates across the country will continue to rise in tandem.

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Amy Harder, author of Generate
35 mins ago - Science

Pandemic scrambles Americans' acceptance of science

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

The pandemic is throwing a wrench into Americans' understanding of science, which has big implications for climate change.

Driving the news: Recent focus groups in battleground states suggest some voters are more skeptical of scientists in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, while surveys reveal the persistence of a deep partisan divide.

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