Two-Thirds of Americans Call for Biden To Step Down Despite an Even Voter Split Between Candidates

Forty percent of Americans believe neither candidate has the mental fortitude to serve effectively.

AP
President Trump, left, on February 24, 2024, and President Biden on January 27, 2024. AP

Despite even voter support for the two main presidential candidates, 67 percent of Americans believe President Biden should withdraw as his party’s nominee, according to a new poll.

Since the presidential debate June 27, 30 percent of those surveyed said they believe that Mr. Biden should continue his campaign, and 85 percent see him as too old for a second term, an increase from 81 percent in April.

Registered voters are divided 46 percent to 46 percent between Mr. Biden and President Trump, according to ABC news. Both candidates face similar levels of scorn, with 40 percent of Americans believing neither has the mental fortitude to serve effectively.

Less than 20 percent of adults surveyed said they have a “strongly favorable” view of either candidate.

Fifty-six percent of members of Mr. Biden’s own party say he should step aside, with 72 percent of independents and 77 percent of Republicans in agreement.

The poll, produced by Langer Research Associates and Ipsos, was conducted between July 5 and July 9 in English and Spanish, and surveyed a nationwide sample of 2,341 adults.

While many American believe Mr. Biden is too old to serve, 60 percent of people surveyed said the same about Trump. Fifty percent also believe that Trump should step down as the Republican nominee following his debate performance. 

Mr. Biden continues to have a higher favorability rating than Trump, leading by 17 points, with survey respondents seeing him as more trustworthy and honest. Forty-two percent of the public views him favorably, versus Trump’s 34 percent.

Yet, half of Americans say that the debate left them with a “less favorable” opinion of the president, while 7 percent now see him more favorably; that number for Trump is 22 percent.

If Vice President Harris were to replace Mr. Biden as the Democratic nominee, 44 percent of Americans would be satisfied with her nomination, but 70 percent of Democrats and Democrat-leaning independents would back her.

However, only 29 percent of Democratic-leaning voters named Mrs. Harris as their top choice to replace Mr Biden, with more than 30 other potential candidates also named. Seven percent want Governor Newsom, and 4 percent named Michelle Obama.


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