Concerns regarding President Joe Biden’s potential re-election bid are growing among both conservative and liberal voters. Many left-wing supporters have become disillusioned with Biden due to the country’s ongoing economic challenges, noticeable cognitive decline, and what they perceive as an ineffective first term. Consequently, a significant number of Democratic voters feel trapped and are apprehensive about the upcoming 2024 election.
Surprisingly, both Republican and Democratic voters, despite their stark differences on most issues, share a common sentiment: they do not want Biden to run for a second term. This sentiment is reflected in a recent national poll, which reveals that Biden’s popularity has dropped below that of the previous 13 American presidents, going back to Truman.
Advocates of the current administration argue that this decline is primarily due to Biden assuming office during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent economic fallout, compounded by the Russia-Ukraine conflict. However, Biden’s age remains a central concern for voters across the political spectrum. At 80 years old, both Republicans and Democrats assert that the president is ill-equipped to handle the domestic and geopolitical challenges facing the United States.
Supporters of the current administration often assert that Biden is still more popular than his predecessor, Donald Trump. However, data does not support this claim. An analysis conducted in June reveals that Biden’s popularity fell below that of Trump after their first year in office, specifically on day 509, and remained lower for over two months.
Challenging the widespread concerns about Biden’s advanced age and mental faculties, White House physician Kevin O’Connor released a presidential health summary in February affirming the president’s fitness for duty. However, only a minority of the population believes this assessment. Polling data paints a grim picture of how Americans perceive the current administration. In a recent Yahoo/YouGov survey, an overwhelming 67 percent of voters, including 48 percent of Democrats, believed that Biden is too old to serve a second term. Additionally, a mere 35 percent of people believe Vice President Kamala Harris has the qualifications to take over the presidency in case of a need.
In comparison, only 42 percent of respondents expressed similar concerns about Trump’s potential bid for the 2024 election, despite the two leaders being only three years apart in age. Adding fuel to the age controversy, former White House physician for both Trump and Barack Obama, Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas), told Sky News reporters in May that Biden’s cognitive decline is “terrifying to watch.” In June, Jackson expressed that Biden is unsuitable for the presidency due to concerns about his physical and mental capabilities.
Ordinary Americans echo Jackson’s apprehension, with some noting a noticeable decline in Biden’s cognitive abilities. “It’s not just his age. He’s clearly showing signs of dementia,” said Sharon Smith in an interview with The Epoch Times. Like many left-leaning Americans, Smith voted for Biden primarily because he was not Trump, not out of genuine support for his candidacy.
Age is one of many concerns raised by having Biden serve a second term. Critics argue that he is ineffective and easily manipulated. This sentiment was underscored when a top Moscow official openly accused Biden of having impaired mental faculties in May when asked about the upcoming U.S. presidential election. According to Dmitry Medvedev, the Russian Security Council’s Deputy Chairman, it is essential to ensure that someone with dementia is not elected.
Another Democrat voter, Gavin, from the Chicago area, expressed a lack of inspiration and described Biden as inconsequential. He believes that the 2024 election will come down to choosing the “best worst option” among the candidates. When asked if he thought Biden represents most left-wing voters’ views, Gavin responded straightforwardly: “No. I think he’s a good Washington insider. He’s good at not getting in anyone’s way.”
Soaring inflation under Biden’s presidency has been the breaking point for some on the political left. Many points to his age as the primary factor, but they also acknowledge that Biden inherited an economy impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, they feel that his ambitious Inflation Reduction Act has been slow to address the daily financial struggles faced by Americans due to high inflation. Moreover, they criticize his policies’ lack of tangible impact and argue that he has failed to address corporate greed under the pretext of supply chain and raw material issues.
Biden’s immigration policy also remains a significant concern for many Democrats. There are those who support the reversal of Trump’s policies by Biden; however, others feel that the approach is too severe. Some also believe that the immigration system is overloaded and requires a permanent solution. The current system is flawed as individuals who enter the country are not granted official status until they appear before a judge, which can take several years, leading to frustration among many.
To a significant portion of Democrat voters, Biden’s presidency resembles the lackluster promises made by previous presidents, lacking the novelty and excitement that figures as Barack Obama brought to the table. This absence of novelty is viewed as Biden’s biggest challenge. Additionally, Democrats are increasingly considering other candidates seriously for the 2024 election.
Both left-wing and right-wing voters express dissatisfaction with Biden’s performance, highlighting concerns about his age, cognitive decline, and ineffective policies. The economy, inflation, immigration, and a lack of inspiration are among the key issues raised by disillusioned Democrats. As the 2024 election approaches, many are looking for alternative candidates who can address these concerns and provide a fresh approach to leadership, distinct from what they perceive as “business as usual.”