In one of the most significant indicators of the plausibility of a candidate switch among the Democratic ranks, the Biden campaign is polling Vice President Kamala Harris’s performance at the head of the Democratic presidential ticket and her odds of beating former President Donald Trump.
Calls for Biden to Step Aside
The move comes amidst many Democratic lawmakers calling on President Biden to step aside and allow a new leader to run for President.
Biden Campaign’s Response to Trump Rhetoric
Officials with the Biden campaign have said that the decision to conduct polling showing the odds of Harris vs. Trump is a reaction to recent Trump rhetoric targeting Harris.
Campaign Source Commentary
A source close to the Biden campaign told ABC News, “Donald Trump shifted his stump speech. We’d be dumb not to adjust. We pay close attention to what he is saying.”
Poll Results on Biden vs. Trump
In a recent ABC News/Washington Post/ Ipsos poll, American voters were nearly evenly divided on whether they would support Biden or Trump if the election were held today.
Voter Sentiment on Biden’s Candidacy
Other poll data show trouble for Biden, as two-thirds of voters over and over half of Biden’s supporters indicated that he should step aside as the Democratic Nominee.
Perceptions of Biden’s Age
Eighty-five percent of respondents from all parties said they believe Biden is too old to serve a second term.
Harris’s Polling Performance
Several recent polls, including the ABC News/Washington Post poll, showed Harris pulling in a higher percentage than Biden against Trump.
Harris’s Position on the Speculation
Harris has yet to fuel the speculation or advance her position vs President Biden. She has been a stalwart defender of the President. She said, “We always knew this election would be tough. And the past few days have been a reminder that running for President of the United States is never easy.”
Harris’s Support for Biden
She continued, “But the one thing we know about our President Joe Biden is that he is a fighter and the first to say, ‘When you get knocked down, you get back up.’”
Congressional Democrats’ Stance
At this point, at least twelve Congressional Democrats have called on President Biden to step aside, and earlier this week, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi expressed openness to considering a new candidate.
Pelosi’s Remarks
In an interview on “Morning Joe,” a news show Biden is known to watch, Pelosi indirectly answered questions on the topic, putting the ball firmly in Biden’s court. She said, “It’s up to the President to decide if he will run. We’re all encouraging him to make that decision because time is short. He is beloved and respected, and people want him to make that decision.”
Implications of Pelosi’s Statement
This statement notably does not say that she believes Biden should run or is fit for the Presidency over the next four years.
Calls from Democratic House Members
In addition to Pelosi’s noncommittal response, at least 12 Democratic House members have called President Biden to step aside.
Public Figures’ Opinions
Outside of lawmakers, even actor George Clooney has called on President Biden to make way for new leadership in this election cycle.
