Republicans are more invested in Biden-Trump debate than Democrats, poll shows

Republicans are more invested in Thursday's presidential debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, with a larger share of GOP sympathizers saying they are somewhat or very likely to watch the debate than their Democratic counterparts.

Concretely, a Syracuse University-Ipsos poll showed that three quarters or Republicans said they will tune in on the event, which will be hosted by CNN, compared to 60% of Democrats. Independents are the least likely to watch the broadcast, with 58% of them saying they will probably do so.

However, those who said they are "very likely" dropped across the board. It includes 45% of Republicans, 30% of Democrats and 28% of independents. Speaking to Axios, Ipsos pollster and senior vice president Chris Jackson said that recent coverage by conservative media might have created some expectations about the debate that could be dispelled.

Many Americans "really believe this narrative that Biden's this senile old man who's secretly or not-so-secretly controlled" controlled by Vice President Kamala Harris and that Trump is going to "clean the floor with him." Perhaps aware of that, Trump has recently moderated expectations about the debate.

Hosted by CNN in its Atlanta studios, the debate is slated to start at 9 p.m. ET with Jake Tapper and Dana Bash moderating the event. Other polls show that many believe it will be hugely important for the campaigns of both Biden and Trump.

This is according to a poll by the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, that found out that about 6 in 10 U.S. adults say they are "extremely" or "very" likely to watch the debate either live, in clips, or read about or listen to commentary about how both candidates do in their first faceoff since the 2020 presidential campaign.

Despite the interest, none of the candidates arrive to June 27th's debate in the best shape when it comes to favorability ratings. About 6 in 10 U.S. adults say they have a very or somewhat unfavorable view of President Biden, while a similar negative number surrounds Trump.

When it comes to Latinos, the poll showed that 35% of Hispanic adults think Biden has done more to help Hispanic people, while 28% say Trump did more.

The poll also found out that nearly half of Hispanic adults (46%) are dissatisfied with Biden as the nominee and a similar share are dissatisfied with Trump (49%).

Biden and Trump are the only presidential candidates who qualified for the debate stage.

Other candidates must meet a threshold which requires them to poll at 15% or higher in four national surveys and appear on enough stage ballots that could theoretically push them past the needed 270 Electoral College votes to secure the presidency. Hence, despite his popularity and household name, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will not be in the debate.