Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by Samuel Corum
According to a recent poll by a prominent Democratic pollster, President Joe Biden remains in the race against Donald Trump, but he is now in greater danger of losing the election as other notable Democrats gain ground in public opinion. Biden trails Trump by a hair, with 42% to 43% support, according to the Democratic company Bendixen & Amandi’s survey.
Kamala Harris has surpassed Trump with a margin of 42% to 41%, while Hillary Clinton continues to surge ahead of the former president with a margin of 43% to 41%. Despite Clinton not being seriously considered as a potential replacement for Biden, Harris is among the leading candidates in that regard.
The poll, first published by Politico, also revealed that of the 86% of eligible voters who tuned in to at least some of the debate, 61% expressed doubt that Biden can complete another four years in office, while 29% expressed confidence in his ability to do so. While 52% think Biden shouldn’t remain the Democratic candidate, only 33% think he should.
The survey also examined other possible Democratic combinations, with a Clinton-Harris ticket showing the best chance of winning. Clinton-Harris leads Trump by four points, with 43% of the vote compared to 40% for Trump. The GOP frontrunner, who faces numerous political and legal challenges, has seemingly failed to capitalize on concerns about Biden’s age and competence.
Despite Clinton being widely dismissed as a credible presidential candidate after her 2016 defeat to Trump, the poll suggests that respondents may still be open to her making a comeback. Clinton, who has formally endorsed Biden and stated she has no intention of running for president again, is still viewed favorably compared to both Biden (81 years old) and Trump (78 years old). Fernand Amandi, the pollster responsible for the study, told Politico, “I’m really surprised by Hillary’s strength.
While some dismiss her as yesterday’s news and a candidate of the past, voters at least in this poll suggest they may be open to a Clinton comeback and that a ticket with Clinton as president and Harris as vice president is even ‘stronger together’.” Additionally, in a hypothetical contest with Trump, Harris did marginally better than Biden. A recent CNN survey found that most Americans believe Democrats would do better without Biden.
With her experience as vice president, Harris provides continuity with the current administration and could more easily access the funds raised for the Biden-Harris campaign. Her support from party leaders is strong and growing, and she is already recognized as the administration’s leader on issues like reproductive freedom for women, which are likely to be deciding factors in the campaign.
