Trump Throws His Hat in the 2020 Ring

For John, BLUF:  We haven't even had the 2018 elections and are already looking to 2020.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

---

Trump in 2020?

So, on 1 March Rasmussen Reports Reported.

Here is the lede plus one:

If the presidential election were held today, President Trump would carry Republicans and unaffiliated voters, but Democrats would reject him in droves.  Joe Biden remains the early favorite in a crowded Democratic field to challenge Trump’s reelection.

The president on Tuesday announced his intention to seek reelection, and 44% of all Likely U.S. Voters say they would be more likely to vote for him if they had to vote now.  The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone and online survey finds that slightly more (47%) are more likely to opt for the Democratic nominee who opposes him, while nine percent (9%) are undecided.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The problem, for me, is that the article doesn't talk to how the poll breaks down by state, and thus by Electoral College votes.  The win is achieved in the Electoral College, not the Popular Vote.♠

In the Comments over at the Althouse Blog, Mr R J Hardin says:

He's not positioning himself for 2020.  It's a rhetorical trick with present value.  Don't look past me, negotiate with the guy who's going to be here a long time.

Not that he might not run, but that that's not the point of it.

Yes, the President is playing multidimensional chess against some checkers players.

Hat tip to the InstaPundit.

Regards  —  Cliff

♠  Something missed by someone in 2016.