The Economist. Hi, John Priddo here.
I host Checks and Balance, our weekly US politics podcast.
Welcome to Editor's Picks.
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Joe Biden has been one of the most unpopular presidents to seek re-election
since the advent of modern polling.
In April 2023, when he declared his intention to run for a second term,
some 41% of Americans said they approved of him.
More than a year later,
after his disastrous debate performance and calls from high-profile members of his own party for him to step aside,
his approval rating sank to an all-time low of 37%.
But throughout the intervening period,
polls showed that the Democratic Party was weathering the storm,
despite its standard bearer taking on water.
When given a choice between Mr Trump and an unnamed Democratic candidate,
rather than Mr Biden, Democrats enjoyed a clear lead.
Who was this mysterious Democrat who could both excite the party's base and work to woo moderate and undecided voters?
It seems that the answer may have been hiding in plain sight.
Carmela Harris,