According to Breitbart News, a recent CBS News/YouGov poll reveals significant voter apprehension regarding President Biden's potential second term.
The poll indicates that 72 percent of voters believe Biden should not run for a second term, reflecting increased doubts about his capabilities following a debated performance.
The poll, conducted on June 28 and 29, sampled 1,130 registered voters with a margin of error of 4.1 points. Among the key findings, 72 percent of voters expressed concerns about Biden’s mental and cognitive health, an increase from 65 percent since June 9. Additionally, 86 percent cited his age as a primary reason for their hesitation.
Among Democratic voters, 46 percent believe Biden should not seek re-election, which is up 10 points since February. This rise in opposition among his base highlights growing unease about his leadership.
The poll found that other reasons voters are wary of a second Biden term include his decision-making abilities (71 percent), his record as president (66 percent), and his ability to campaign effectively (59 percent). These factors compound the overall skepticism about his fitness for office.
To address these concerns, Biden has devised an eight-point public relations campaign aiming to bolster his standing as the Democratic Party’s de facto nominee. This strategy includes increasing his media presence with more public interviews and press conferences, a notable shift from his previously criticized lack of media availability.
The timing of this poll is critical as it is one of the first post-debate polls that Democratic operatives and donors will examine to gauge the impact of Biden’s recent debate performance. This performance has been a focal point for criticism and has sparked discussions about his campaign’s direction.
Biden's new public relations strategy aims to counteract the negative perception and reassure both the public and his supporters. However, media outlets, including the New York Times, have been vocal about the president's need for greater media engagement.
Quentin Faulks, Biden’s deputy campaign manager, defended the president’s recent debate performance during a phone call with donors. "The media has spent a ton of time blowing this out of proportion," Faulks said.
A White House staffer, speaking to Politico, expressed frustration over the fallout from Biden’s debate performance. The staffer stated:
Everyone was told this was for the best. Now, it’s the worst possible outcome. And we’re all trying to figure out why the people who know him best and make all the decisions didn’t seem to anticipate that this might happen.
This internal reaction underscores Biden's challenges within his own administration as they navigate the political landscape ahead of the upcoming election.
The CBS News/YouGov poll highlights a significant increase in voter apprehension about President Biden's potential second term. With 72 percent of voters expressing doubts about his candidacy, concerns about his age, mental health, decision-making, and campaign effectiveness are at the forefront.
Biden's response, an eight-point public relations campaign, aims to address these concerns and reinforce his position as the Democratic Party’s leading candidate. Following a debated performance, the timing of this poll adds urgency to Biden's efforts to revitalize his campaign and address both public and internal criticisms.