Who saw this coming?
Following recent polls indicating that President Joe Biden is trailing behind several Republican 2024 contenders, prominent Democratic lawmakers and strategists have expressed concerns about the 80-year-old commander-in-chief’s chances of securing re-election.
According to Newsweek, throughout his time in the White House, Biden has grappled with ongoing worries regarding his age and health. These concerns were amplified as his approval ratings took a nosedive following the tumultuous U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021 and skyrocketing inflation, which caused economic strain across the nation.
The latest polling data, released by CNN and SSRS, presents further unfavorable news for Biden, depicting him trailing behind various Republican candidates in hypothetical head-to-head matchups.
Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley leads the president by a margin of 6 points, with 49 percent support compared to his 43 percent. Former Vice President Mike Pence, South Carolina’s GOP Senator Tim Scott, and former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie all hold a 2-point advantage over Biden, while the president is in a dead heat with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Former President Donald Trump, the clear frontrunner in the Republican field, also maintains a 1-point lead over Biden.
The survey, conducted from August 25 to 31, encompassed 1,259 registered voters and had a margin of error of 3.5 percentage points.
Senator Jon Tester, a Montana Democrat, expressed his concern about these polling numbers, stating, “You’ve got to be concerned about those poll numbers, you just do. There’s plenty of time to get them back up. Whether he can or not, I just don’t know, but you’ve got to be concerned.”
The CNN/SSRS survey revealed that nearly three-quarters of voters have serious concerns about Biden’s mental and physical fitness. Additionally, 60 percent of Democratic and Democrat-leaning respondents expressed serious concerns about the incumbent’s chances of securing re-election.
Democratic strategist James Carville acknowledged the unfavorable polling data, saying, “Well, I guess, to say the least, the polls were not great. And it tells us that, you know, voters are expressing some apprehension here. It’s pretty clear. There’s not much else you can say when you look at them.”
David Axelrod, a former strategist for President Barack Obama, echoed these sentiments, noting, “These numbers are not good, and they’re consistent with most of the other polling that we’ve seen. The country is in a sour mood. He’s not getting credit for what I think is a fairly substantial list of achievements. And the reality is, if this were a referendum, he would be in deep, deep trouble.”
Senator Joe Manchin, a West Virginia Democrat, emphasized that voters appear dissatisfied with both Biden and Trump, asserting, “I think the people have basically spoken loud and clear. They’re not happy with the two choices—and only choices.”
Recent polling by Redfield & Wilton Strategies for Newsweek revealed that a majority of Democrats expressed concerns about Biden’s ability to perform his duties, given his status as the oldest president in U.S. history. Survey results from The Wall Street Journal at the end of August showed that 57 percent of voters disapprove of Biden, while only 42 percent approve.
Nevertheless, Biden’s supporters highlight his track record of legislative achievements, including several significant bipartisan bills related to infrastructure, gun control, and LGBTQ+ rights. They argue that his administration isn’t receiving due credit for the post-COVID economic recovery, attributing much of the inflation to factors beyond the White House’s control.
Senator Chris Coons of Delaware emphasized Biden’s strong record, stating, “The great news is that President Biden has a very strong record to run on.”
Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut acknowledged that there is work to be done in terms of messaging and campaigning but underscored that it’s still early in the election cycle.