Prominent Democrats lined up to defend Joe Biden on Sunday (Monday AEST) after a new poll showed nearly three-quarters of US voters think Biden should end his reelection campaign following his disastrous performance in the debates.
The campaign’s damage control efforts were in full swing over the weekend, as concerns about the 81-year-old president’s age and ability to do his job led many Democrats to call for him to step aside and support a younger candidate.
Joe Biden, First Lady Jill and other family members gathered over the weekend. AP
A CBS News/YouGov poll released Sunday added further weight to those sentiment, showing that 72% of registered voters think Biden shouldn’t run for president, up from 63% in February.
A post-debate poll found that nearly three-quarters of people don’t think Biden has the cognitive skills to serve as president, up from 65% three weeks ago. Just under half of respondents said the same about his Republican rival, Donald Trump.
Many Democratic lawmakers, donors and party officials are questioning whether Biden should remain the nominee after he appeared to stutter, stumble and lose his train of thought during Thursday’s debate.
Biden spent Friday night and Saturday on a whirlwind fundraising tour of Manhattan, the Hamptons and New Jersey, seeking to reassure his wealthy supporters, but many donors remain uncertain about whether the president can beat Trump, much less hang on to the White House for another four years.
“I don’t know if we needed more evidence to make a decision, but this poll is another reminder that if we don’t act now, Trump is sure to win the election in November,” one donor said Sunday.
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