Joe Biden’s approval ratings have taken a nosedive, leaving Democratic voters questioning their support for the current president. A recent CNN poll revealed that a majority of Democrat voters are yearning for an alternative to Joe Biden in the upcoming 2024 presidential race. This discontent with Biden stems from concerns about his vitality and ability to effectively serve as president. Despite still receiving relatively high approval ratings for his job performance and care for the people, Biden’s inspiring confidence and stamina have seen significant declines.

According to the CNN poll, a broad 67% majority of Democratic and Democratic-leaning voters believe it is likely that Biden will be the party’s nominee again in 2024. This percentage has increased from 55% in May, indicating a growing sense of inevitability regarding Biden’s candidacy. However, what is more striking is that 67% of these voters also expressed a desire for the party to nominate someone other than Biden. This percentage has risen from 54% in March, reflecting a significant upswing in dissatisfaction with Biden as the party’s candidate.

While many Democrats are seeking an alternative to Biden, the poll reveals that most do not have a specific candidate in mind. An overwhelming 82% of those who prefer a different nominee admitted that they have no particular alternative in mind. Only 1% mentioned any of Biden’s declared challengers, such as Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. or Marianne Williamson. This lack of a clear alternative suggests that the discontent lies primarily with Biden himself rather than the appeal of any other candidate.

The hesitation surrounding Biden’s candidacy largely revolves around concerns about his vitality and ability to serve effectively as president. While a majority of Democratic voters still believe that Biden cares about people like them, his standing in terms of inspiring confidence and having the stamina and sharpness required for the role has significantly declined. Only 51% of Democratic and Democratic-leaning voters see Biden as inspiring confidence, marking a 19 percentage point drop since March. Similarly, just 49% believe he possesses the necessary stamina and sharpness, a 14-point decrease from March.

“Donald Trump 47% – Joe Biden 46%. There was not a single poll conducted by CNN during the 2020 cycle in which Trump got a higher share of the vote than Biden, so this is a vastly different picture from what we saw 4 years ago,” CNN reported on Thursday

NEW CNN POLL:

"Donald Trump, 47%, Joe Biden, 46%…There was not a single poll conducted by CNN during the entire 2020 cycle in which Donald Trump got a higher share of the vote than Joe Biden did, so this is a vastly different picture from what we saw four years ago…" pic.twitter.com/9Y6g7vhlb9

— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) September 7, 2023

It is worth noting that these concerns are distinct from criticisms of Biden’s job performance. Despite the decline in confidence and vitality ratings, a substantial 75% of Democratic voters still approve of Biden’s overall job performance. This indicates that while his policies and actions are generally satisfactory to many, doubts about his physical and mental capabilities are overshadowing his achievements.

The current sentiment among Democratic voters represents a significant departure from the 2020 presidential election. CNN notes that there was not a single poll during that election cycle where Donald Trump garnered a higher share of the vote than Biden. The fact that Biden is now facing such scrutiny and a desire for an alternative candidate highlights a dramatic shift in the political landscape.

This change could have profound implications for the Democratic Party. While Biden’s approval ratings among his own party remain relatively strong, the growing dissatisfaction and calls for an alternative candidate indicate a potential fracture within the party. If Democrats cannot rally behind Biden in the upcoming election, it may create a divided front and weaken their chances of securing the presidency once again.

The CNN poll results have undoubtedly sent shockwaves through the Democratic Party. With a majority of Democratic voters expressing a desire for an alternative to Biden, party leaders must carefully consider their options for the 2024 presidential race. Ignoring this sentiment could lead to a further erosion of support and potentially alienate a significant portion of the voter base.

To address the concerns raised by Democratic voters, party leaders will need to present a compelling alternative candidate who can inspire confidence and possess the necessary vitality and sharpness to serve as president. It will be crucial to select a candidate who can unite the party and appeal to a broad range of voters, ensuring a strong and cohesive front against the Republican nominee.