President Joe Biden is reportedly contemplating withdrawing from the 2024 presidential race as internal party concerns mount and polling data suggests potential Democratic replacements might fare better in crucial battleground states.

Biden's contemplation comes amid a lackluster debate performance against former President Donald Trump and mixed reactions from within his party.

Biden's Potential Withdrawal Raises Questions

President Joe Biden is considering stepping down from the 2024 presidential race, according to increasing numbers of reports.. The discussion gained traction following a report by CNN’s Jeff Zeleny on Wednesday evening, indicating Biden's growing openness to the idea after being diagnosed with COVID-19. Biden's deliberations have sparked a dilemma regarding Vice President Kamala Harris’s viability as a candidate.

Biden has, however, reportedly expressed doubts about Harris's ability to win the election. According to Zeleny, Biden is now asking, "Do you think Kamala can win?" This uncertainty comes despite White House Senior Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates reaffirming Biden's intention to be the party’s nominee.

Biden's weak debate performance against Donald Trump on June 27 has fueled calls for him to withdraw. Despite these pressures, Biden has told Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries that he plans to remain in the race and win the nomination.

Polls Highlight Alternatives to Biden

Recent polling data further complicates the situation for the Democratic Party. Research conducted by analytics company BlueLabs in seven battleground states suggests that four possible alternatives to Biden outperformed him by an average of 5 points. Overall, alternative Democratic candidates outpaced Biden by 3 points on average, while Harris performed lower in these polls.

A particular poll revealed that 44% of voters preferred the “best nominee no matter who,” while only 24% favored Harris. Among Democrats, 56% opted for the best nominee regardless of identity, with 33% supporting Harris. This data underscores the challenge Harris faces in securing broad support within the party and the electorate at large.

The Democratic Party may face significant challenges in moving away from Harris, given her historic role as the first Black woman vice president. However, the polling data indicates a pressing need for the party to consider all options to ensure a victory in the upcoming election.

Declining Support Among Key Voter Demographics

Biden's recent speech at the NAACP convention in Las Vegas highlighted what he hopes will be his appeal to Black voters, a crucial demographic for the Democratic Party. Despite his efforts, data suggests a decline in support for Biden among Black voters. A Washington Post/Ipsos survey showed a 7 percentage-point drop in Black voter support for Biden since 2022.

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) has also called for Biden to exit the race, expressing concerns about Biden's ability to defeat Trump. Schiff described Biden as "one of the most consequential presidents in our nation's history" but voiced serious concerns about his chances against Trump in November.

Power NC Action, an influential advocacy group, has urged the Democratic National Committee to nominate another candidate to maintain high voter turnout. The organization emphasized the need to prioritize the nation's well-being over any individual candidate.

Calls for Change Within the Democratic Party

Irene Godinez, founder of Power NC Action, highlighted a decline in enthusiasm for Biden among Democrats. She pointed to the lack of excitement at a recent event, noting it as a "clear signal" to the Democratic Party that urgent changes are needed.

Godinez stated, "That's a clear signal to the Democratic Party that if you can't even rile up your own base to show up to an event the day after a pretty significant moment in the candidacy of your person, there is something really urgent that needs to happen in order to change course."

The Democratic Party faces a complex dilemma as it navigates the potential withdrawal of its sitting president and the viability of its vice president as a replacement candidate. The mixed signals from Biden and the polling data pointing to alternative candidates outperforming him add to the urgency of the situation.

Conclusion

In summary, President Joe Biden's reportedly growing openness to exiting the 2024 race has intensified discussions within the Democratic Party.

Concerns about Vice President Kamala Harris's ability to secure victory, coupled with recent polling data favoring alternative candidates, underscore what many believe is the party's need to reassess its strategy.

With declining support among key voter demographics and calls for change from prominent figures, the Democratic Party must carefully navigate this critical juncture to ensure its success in the upcoming election.