Significant majority of independent voters believe President Joe Biden should not remain the Democratic nominee following a disastrous debate performance against former President Donald Trump, according to a poll conducted by Daily Mail on Friday, June 28, 2024.
The poll found that 62 percent of independent voters think Biden should be removed from the ticket. During the debate, Biden, at 81 years old, frequently lost his train of thought and lapsed into silence, struggling to respond effectively to Trump’s more aggressive claims. In contrast, Trump, who is 78, managed to deliver his points more forcefully, creating a stark contrast between the two candidates.
Biden’s Debate Performance Sparks Concerns
The poll, conducted by J.L. Partners, surveyed 805 independent voters immediately after the 90-minute debate. It revealed that 68 percent of respondents believed Trump outperformed his successor in the White House. Notably, 30 percent of individuals who voted for Biden in 2020 concluded that Trump won the debate. This poor performance has led to increasing concerns among senior Democratic figures about Biden’s viability as the nominee.
Even among Biden’s 2020 voters, 41 percent now think it’s time to find a new nominee. James Johnson, Co-Founder of J.L. Partners, characterized Biden’s performance with independents as disastrous. “Voters are not surprised by Biden’s performance,” Johnson noted. “We know from other DailyMail.com polling that people expected him to perform poorly and think he is old and incompetent. But this was his chance to right that perception and instead he confirmed it—and then some.” Johnson added that Trump appeared to be a safer and more competent choice in contrast to Biden.
Implications for Biden’s Campaign
The implications of the poll are significant for Biden’s campaign. “Where this goes now is anyone’s guess, but looking at these numbers it looks like Joe Biden cannot beat Donald Trump among independents,” Johnson said. “And if you can’t win the voters in the middle, you can’t win the White House.”
The poll also provided an early glimpse into how the debate might influence voting intentions. Prior to the debate, 40 percent of respondents planned to vote for Trump, while 28 percent intended to vote for Biden. These numbers shifted dramatically post-debate, with 44 percent opting for Trump and only 24 percent for Biden, marking an eight-point swing in Trump’s favor.
Biden’s performance elicited horror among Democrats, leading to immediate speculation about the possibility of selecting a different candidate. Throughout the debate, Biden spoke with a hoarse voice and was sometimes difficult to hear. He frequently tailed off mid-sentence, muddled his words, and delivered awkward halts, which only exacerbated concerns about his ability to effectively communicate and lead.
Democratic Voices Call for Change
On issues that should have been strengths for Biden, such as abortion rights, he delivered non-sequiturs and garbled responses. This opened the door for Trump to capitalize on Biden’s apparent confusion. “I really don’t know what he said at the end of that sentence,” Trump remarked after one of Biden’s disjointed answers about the border. “I don’t think he knows what he said either.”
The debate also shifted the focus away from Trump’s legal troubles and his reluctance to accept the 2024 election results. Trump, a convicted felon, had to be asked three times whether he would accept the election results, but the spotlight remained firmly on Biden’s faltering performance.
In response, several high-profile liberals have called for Biden to step aside. Andrew Yang, who ran against Biden in the 2020 Democratic primary, stated, “Guys, the Dems should nominate someone else—before it’s too late.” Commentator Mehdi Hasan, a former staunch defender of Biden, echoed this sentiment. “Not after tonight’s car crash of a ‘debate.’ It’s time for Biden to step aside. The Democrats need to find a new nominee,” Hasan posted on social media platform X.
Vice President Harris Defends Biden
However, Vice President Kamala Harris defended Biden, acknowledging his slow start but urging voters to consider his overall record. “I’m not going to spend all night with you talking about the last 90 minutes when I’ve been watching the last three-and-a-half years of performance,” she told CNN, emphasizing the administration’s achievements.
The poll’s results underscore a critical juncture for Biden’s campaign and the Democratic Party. With independent voters—a crucial demographic—showing clear discontent, the party faces a difficult decision. The debate has cast a long shadow over Biden’s re-election bid, prompting a reevaluation of his candidacy just as the election season heats up.
Moving Forward
As the campaign moves forward, the pressure will be on Biden and the Democratic Party to address these concerns and potentially reconsider their strategy to ensure they can secure a win in the 2024 presidential election. The next steps for Biden and his campaign will be pivotal in determining the party’s direction and its chances of success against a reinvigorated Trump.
