The Biden camp has been trying to stick it out. But it may just be too late.
And now a tragic test result could kick Biden out of the race for president.
A new poll reveals that nearly two-thirds of Democrats believe President Joe Biden should withdraw from the presidential race and let another candidate take his place.
This sentiment challenges Biden’s recent claims that “average Democrats” remain on his side despite notable defections among prominent party figures.
According to the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, Biden’s efforts to recover from a disastrous debate performance are faltering.
The poll shows that only around 30% of Democrats are highly confident in his mental capacity to serve effectively, down from 40% in February.
These numbers underscore the significant obstacles facing the 81-year-old president as he attempts to fend off internal party pressure to drop out and persuade Democrats that he is the strongest candidate to face off against Donald Trump.
The survey was conducted largely before the recent assassination attempt on Trump during a Pennsylvania campaign rally.
It remains uncertain whether this incident influenced perceptions of Biden, but early post-shooting interviews did not indicate any improvement in his prospects.
Vice President Kamala Harris, who is also under increased scrutiny amid discussions about Biden’s future, has a favorability rating comparable to Biden’s. However, the proportion of Americans who view her unfavorably is slightly lower.
The poll suggests that Biden’s strongest support comes from Black Democrats, with around half believing he should continue his campaign. In contrast, only about 30% of white and Hispanic Democrats feel the same.
Overall, 70% of Americans think Biden should step aside, with Democrats only marginally less likely than Republicans and independents to support a new nominee.
“I genuinely question his ability to hold office,” remarked Andrew Holcomb, a 27-year-old Democrat from Denver. “He’s simply too old for the role.”
In contrast, Janie Stapleton, a 50-year-old lifelong Democrat from Walls, Mississippi, argued that Biden remains the “best candidate” for the presidency.
This dissatisfaction isn’t limited to Biden alone. About 60% of Americans want Trump to withdraw, though few Republicans share this view.
Young Democrats, in particular, are inclined to see Biden withdraw and are notably discontent with his performance. Three-quarters of Democrats under 45 support his exit, compared to around 60% of older Democrats.
“I find both candidates to be a disappointing choice,” said Alexi Mitchell, a 35-year-old civil servant from Virginia. While she believes Biden might still be mentally fit, she fears that recent declines in support have weakened his candidacy.
“If he can’t control his own party, it’s a critical flaw,” she said. “He’s put us in a precarious position where Trump could win.”
Despite optimistic talk from Biden’s campaign prior to the debate, his performance has only exacerbated dissatisfaction among Democrats. Approximately half are now dissatisfied with Biden as their nominee, up from about 40% in June.
Conversely, about 60% of Republicans felt satisfied with Trump as their candidate following the debate. Too few interviews were conducted after the assassination attempt to determine if this has further solidified Republican support for Trump.
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