In a surprising turn of events, a recent USA Today/Suffolk University poll has revealed that 41 percent of Democrat voters want President Joe Biden to drop out of the 2024 presidential race, while only 51 percent are in favor of him staying on the ticket.

This significant portion of the Democratic base expressing doubt about Biden’s candidacy marks a critical moment for the Democratic Party as it gears up for the upcoming election.

The poll, which is one of the first conducted post-debate, is being closely examined by Democrat operatives and donors to assess the potential damage to Biden’s candidacy following his debate performance.

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The findings are stark: former President Donald Trump was seen as the clear winner of the debate by a five-to-one margin among respondents, with only 28 percent of Biden supporters believing he won the debate.

The impact of the debate on Biden’s support within his own party is notable. Only 24 percent of Democrats reported that the debate increased their support for Biden, while 9 percent stated that it made them more inclined to support a third-party candidate. This sentiment is echoed among independent voters, with 64 percent indicating they want Biden replaced on the ballot.

When asked about the debate’s impact, 26 percent of independents said it made them more likely to support Trump, 9 percent felt more inclined to support Biden, and 17 percent were swayed towards considering a third-party candidate.

These figures suggest a significant erosion of confidence in Biden’s ability to lead, not only among Democrats but also among the crucial independent voter base.

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USA Today provided insights into voters’ concerns about Biden’s debate performance. Voters described Biden with terms like “confused” and “incoherent,” with many concluding that Trump won the debate.

On the other hand, those who believed Biden won cited his “truthfulness” and “honesty,” contrasting this with accusations that Trump lied during his responses.

The poll, which sampled 1,000 registered voters with a 3.1 percentage points margin of error, has undeniably sent shockwaves through the political landscape.

David Paleologos, director of the Suffolk Political Research Center, summarized the sentiment of the poll, saying, “Democrats in the poll are offering tough love to President Biden by saying to him, ‘You’ve served us well, but try to see yourself last Thursday night through our eyes. Hold your head up high, it’s time to go.’”

This polling data comes at a time when Biden’s path to re-election appears increasingly precarious. According to Nate Silver’s election model, Trump leads Biden by six points in the probability of winning the popular vote in November.

This is a significant lead, considering the last Republican to win the popular vote was George W. Bush in 2004 with 50.73 percent.

In response to these challenges, Biden reportedly devised an eight-point public relations campaign over the weekend to solidify his standing as the Democratic Party’s nominee. This campaign plan was developed following a two-day meeting with family members at Camp David, where Biden’s political future was a major topic of discussion.

Despite calls from media allies and some Democrats for Biden to withdraw from the race, top officials have indicated to Axios that he will press forward with his candidacy. This decision seems to be strongly influenced by First Lady Jill Biden and other family members, including Hunter Biden.

People close to the family suggest that their support has played a crucial role in Biden’s determination to remain in the race.

The new public relations strategy aims to increase Biden’s visibility through more public interviews and press conferences. This approach is a marked shift from his previous tactic of limited media availability, which has been a point of criticism, especially from outlets like the New York Times.

As the 2024 election approaches, the Democratic Party faces a critical juncture. The internal debate over Biden’s candidacy highlights the challenges of uniting the party and presenting a strong front against a formidable opponent in Donald Trump.

The coming months will be crucial in determining whether Biden can regain the confidence of his base and independent voters, or if the party will need to consider alternative candidates to lead the charge in the upcoming election.

The political landscape is in flux, and the Biden administration’s response to these challenges will be pivotal in shaping the future of the Democratic Party and the outcome of the 2024 presidential race.

As Democrats weigh their options and strategize for the months ahead, one thing is clear: the road to re-election for President Joe Biden is fraught with significant hurdles that will require careful navigation and decisive action.