79 percent of Democrats approve of Harris replacing Biden if he steps aside: Poll

An overwhelming majority of Democrats say they approve of Vice President Harris replacing President Biden atop the ticket if he decides to step aside, according to a poll released Thursday.

The Economist/YouGov survey found 79 percent of Democrats would support Harris at the party’s nominee in November if Biden chose to withdraw from the race. A growing number of Democrats are calling for the incumbent to step aside in the wake of a poor debate performance against former President Trump last month.

Roughly 28 percent of Democrats said Harris was more likely than Biden to win against Trump. About 32 percent said the vice president was just as likely and 24 percent said she was less likely to defeat the former president in the fall.

More than half — or 51 percent — of Americans believe Biden should definitely or probably step aside and allow another Democrat to run. Just under 45 percent of respondents said the same, while 41 percent said he should not, the poll found.

Among Democrats who think he should pass the torch, 68 percent said concerns about his age, health or cognitive function is the biggest reason why he should end his reelection bid. About 23 percent listed concerns around his ability to defeat Trump as the main reason.

Although large shares of respondents said Biden should step aside, few said it was likely that the president would do so. Just 4 percent of Americans said it was very likely for him to withdraw, and 15 percent said it was somewhat likely. Roughly 65 percent said it was not very likely or not at all likely that he would drop out of the race.

The poll was conducted among 1,582 respondents from July 13-16 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.

Despite numerous calls for him to step aside, Biden has maintained he will not be dropping out.  He said Wednesday that only a medical condition would cause him to reevaluate his candidacy.

Tags 2024 presidential election Biden replacement Biden-Harris campaign Donald Trump Joe Biden Kamala Harris The Economist/YouGov

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed..

 

Main Area Top ↴

Testing Homepage Widget

 

Main Area Middle ↴

Article Bin Elections 2024

Canada will reduce immigration targets as Trudeau acknowledges his policy failed
Israeli strike on Gaza shelter kills 17 as Blinken says cease-fire talks will resume
Middle East latest: Blinken in Doha to discuss Gaza cease-fire with Qatari officials
A car bomb explodes outside a police station in western Mexico, wounding 3 officers
Mozambique’s ruling party candidate declared winner of presidential election as rigging claims swirl
Putin ends BRICS summit that sought to expand Russia’s global clout but was shadowed by Ukraine
Turkey strikes Kurdish militant targets in Syria and Iraq for a second day
Massive displacement from Israel-Hezbollah war transforms Beirut’s famed commercial street
Canada’s Trudeau vows lead his Liberal Party into the next election
Russian lawmakers ratify pact with North Korea as US confirms that Pyongyang sent troops to Russia
Train carrying 55 people derails on Norway’s north coast, killing at least 1 person and injuring 4
Trash carried by a North Korean balloon again falls on the presidential compound in Seoul
Britain’s leaders likely to face slavery reparations questions at a summit of former colonies
The Paris conference for Lebanon raises $1 billion in pledges for humanitarian and military support
Venice extends its day-tripper tax through next year to combat overtourism
More AP International

Image 2024 Elections

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump, left, stands on stage with Melania Trump, Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner and Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, after speaking during the Republican National Convention, Thursday, July 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump, left, stands on stage with Melania Trump, Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner and Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, after speaking during the Republican National Convention, Thursday, July 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)

Most Popular

Load more

Video

See all Video