Former President Donald Trump has pulled ahead of President Joe Biden by six points in the latest national poll, and the surge comes after Biden's recent debate performance raised concerns about his age and ability to serve effectively.

According to a New York Times/Siena College poll released on Wednesday, Trump leads Biden 49% to 43% among likely voters, marking a significant shift in the race, as the Washington Examiner reports.

The poll, conducted from June 28 to July 2, shows a 3-point improvement for Trump compared to the previous week. Among registered voters, Trump's lead extends to 49% to Biden's 41%.

Biden's Age Becomes a Central Issue

Biden's debate performance on Thursday has intensified scrutiny over his age. A growing number of voters express doubts about his capacity to continue in office. Notably, 74% of voters now believe Biden is too old to remain in the White House, an increase of 5 percentage points since the debate.

Among Democrats, the concern over Biden's age has grown by 8 percentage points, reaching 59%. Independent voters also show significant worry, with 79% indicating that Biden's age is a problem. Overall, 50% of voters feel Biden's age renders him incapable of effectively handling the presidency, and 55% of independents agree.

Comparisons Between Trump and Biden on Age

In contrast, only 42% of voters view Trump as too old for the presidency, a slight increase of 3 points from the previous week.

Moreover, a mere 19% of respondents believe Trump is too old to manage the responsibilities of the office.

Shifts in Voter Confidence and Party Sentiment

Following the debate, Biden's support among likely women voters has grown, with his lead increasing from 5 points to 8 points. However, there is a slight rise in the share of Democrats who think Biden should not continue as the Democratic nominee.

Biden's campaign is actively addressing the poll results. In a memo to staff, Biden campaign pollster Molly Murphy emphasized that the race remains extremely tight and that the current polling does not fundamentally alter the course of the race.

"Both internal and outside polling confirm that the race remains incredibly tight, and I agree with the Times that today’s polling doesn’t fundamentally change the course of the race," said Murphy.

She noted that Biden continues to narrow Trump's support among independents and highlighted the need to solidify the Democratic coalition.

Campaign Strategies and Internal Reactions

Biden has also engaged with key Democratic leaders amid the heightened uncertainty.

These have included House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Rep. James Clyburn, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Sen. Chris Coons, to strategize and respond to the evolving dynamics of the campaign.

Biden's Commitment to the Race

During a campaign conference call, Biden reiterated his commitment to stay in the race until the end, despite the challenges highlighted by the latest polling data.

He reassured his supporters and campaign staff that he remains focused on his presidential bid.

Conclusion

The latest poll indicates a tightening race between Trump and Biden, with Trump's lead expanding post-debate. Concerns about Biden's age have risen significantly among voters, including a notable increase among Democrats and independents.

Despite these challenges, Biden's campaign is working to address the concerns and maintain its momentum.

The upcoming weeks will be crucial as both candidates adjust their strategies to appeal to voters and secure their positions in the race for the presidency.