A substantial majority of American citizens, including a significant portion from the Democratic base, express apprehension about President Joe Biden’s continued candidacy in the upcoming presidential race, a recent ABC News/Washington Post survey reveals.
The poll highlights a growing concern over Biden's age and cognitive sharpness, particularly after his performance in the June 27 presidential debate sparked widespread doubt regarding his fitness for another term. With only 30% of voters across the board supporting Biden's reelection bid at 81, skepticism runs deep even among Democrats—42% of whom advocate for his stay in the race. Conversely, a striking 70% of independent voters, whose support is crucial for securing the presidency, favor Vice President Kamala Harris as a replacement to spearhead the Democratic ticket.
This sentiment coincides with voting intentions that show an evenly split national preference between Biden and Trump at 46%. However, scenarios pitting Harris against Trump suggest a slight edge for Harris, forecasting her to win 49% of votes over Trump’s 47%. These findings stem from a comprehensive study conducted from July 5 to July 9 on over 2,400 American adults and come with a margin of error of plus or minus 2%.
The discussion around Biden’s electability was further fueled by actor George Clooney's critique in an op-ed for The New York Times. Clooney, declaring his enduring allegiance to the Democratic Party, starkly assessed Biden's prospects: “We are not going to win in November with this president." His commentary aligns with private admissions from key political figures across Congress and state governorships—none foreseeing victory under Biden’s banner. Adding weight to these concerns was Nancy Pelosi's nuanced stance during a television interview where she posited that the decision on candidacy ultimately rests with President Biden himself.
The poll highlights a growing concern over Biden's age and cognitive sharpness, particularly after his performance in the June 27 presidential debate sparked widespread doubt regarding his fitness for another term. With only 30% of voters across the board supporting Biden's reelection bid at 81, skepticism runs deep even among Democrats—42% of whom advocate for his stay in the race. Conversely, a striking 70% of independent voters, whose support is crucial for securing the presidency, favor Vice President Kamala Harris as a replacement to spearhead the Democratic ticket.
This sentiment coincides with voting intentions that show an evenly split national preference between Biden and Trump at 46%. However, scenarios pitting Harris against Trump suggest a slight edge for Harris, forecasting her to win 49% of votes over Trump’s 47%. These findings stem from a comprehensive study conducted from July 5 to July 9 on over 2,400 American adults and come with a margin of error of plus or minus 2%.
The discussion around Biden’s electability was further fueled by actor George Clooney's critique in an op-ed for The New York Times. Clooney, declaring his enduring allegiance to the Democratic Party, starkly assessed Biden's prospects: “We are not going to win in November with this president." His commentary aligns with private admissions from key political figures across Congress and state governorships—none foreseeing victory under Biden’s banner. Adding weight to these concerns was Nancy Pelosi's nuanced stance during a television interview where she posited that the decision on candidacy ultimately rests with President Biden himself.
