In Atlanta, Georgia – President Joe Biden’s recent debate performance has caused a stir among his core supporters, according to an exclusive poll conducted by USA TODAY/Suffolk University. The poll indicates that over 40% of Democrats believe the party should consider replacing Biden as the presidential nominee, with some of his own supporters sharing the sentiment.
While dissatisfaction with both major-party candidates was evident in the survey, President Donald Trump’s base remains resilient despite criticisms of his truthfulness during the debate. Only a small percentage of Republicans and Trump supporters expressed a desire for the GOP to replace him on the ticket.
The poll, conducted among 1,000 registered voters via both landline and cell phone interviews, had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points. The majority of respondents identified Trump as the winner of the recent debate, with a vast difference in opinion between Trump and Biden supporters.
Following the debate, concerns over Biden’s performance have arisen, with questions about his age and energy surfacing. Despite efforts by the Biden campaign to address these concerns through appearances at rallies and fundraisers, the poll results indicate that these concerns hold weight among voters.
Analysis of the survey responses revealed that voters’ perceptions of mental acuity played a significant role in their assessment of the candidates’ performances. While some criticized Biden for appearing confused and incoherent, others praised Trump’s coherent and articulate responses during the debate.
Additionally, the poll highlighted a desire among Americans for different choices on the ballot for both parties. A substantial portion of respondents expressed a preference for new nominees for both Biden and Trump, underscoring the partisan divisions surrounding the presidential candidates.
Among Republicans, there was overwhelming support for Trump to remain the GOP’s nominee, with a significant percentage indicating that the debate had strengthened their support for him. In contrast, Democrats were more divided, with a slim majority in favor of retaining Biden as the nominee.
Independents showed a strong inclination towards replacing both Biden and Trump on the ballot, with a notable percentage indicating that the debate had influenced their likelihood of supporting a particular candidate or opting for a third-party candidate. Some independents also expressed decreased interest in voting following the debate.