In a stunning development, a recent nationwide poll conducted by the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research has revealed that a significant portion of Americans, including a majority of Democrats, believe that President Biden should withdraw from the presidential race and allow the Democratic Party to select a different nominee. The survey, conducted from July 11-15, 2024, included 1,253 adults and has a margin of sampling error of +/- 3.8 percentage points.

According to the poll, 65% of Democrats believe that Biden should step aside, raising concerns about his mental capability to effectively serve as President. As the fallout from his recent debate performance continues, even 7 in 10 adults, across party lines, express the belief that Biden should withdraw and make way for a different nominee. There is a growing sentiment that Biden's mental acuity may hinder his ability to lead the nation.

Despite the finding that Biden is viewed as more honest than former President Donald Trump, the former president still garners more confidence in his capability to win in November and effectively handle a crisis. Among Republicans, 73% believe that Trump should stay in the race, while only 35% of Democrats want Biden to continue running.

Interestingly, the survey highlighted demographic divides within the Democratic Party. Black Democrats emerged as Biden's strongest supporters, with 50% urging him to continue running, compared to only 33% of white and Hispanic Democrats. Age also plays a role, as three-quarters of Democrats under the age of 45 believe that Biden should withdraw, while 57% of those over the age of 45 share the same sentiment.

Furthermore, the level of satisfaction with Biden as the Democratic nominee has slightly waned since the previous month's debate. In July, 37% of Democrats expressed satisfaction, down from 42% before the debate. Dissatisfaction has also increased marginally, rising from 38% to 48% within the party. In contrast, around 6 in 10 Republicans remain satisfied with Trump as their party's nominee.

The survey also delved into public perceptions of the candidates' mental capability. Notably, nearly half of Democrats, a significant increase from February, do not view Biden as having the mental capability to serve as President. Conversely, 60% of Republicans maintain strong confidence in Trump's mental capability. This disparity underscores a lack of trust in Biden's ability to effectively govern.

Regarding the public's vision for the country, approximately a third of adults believe Biden has a better vision, with a similar proportion favoring Trump's vision. These views are aligned with party affiliations, as about 7 in 10 Democrats support Biden's vision, while 7 in 10 Republicans align with Trump's vision.

The favorability ratings for both Biden and Trump remain stable, with unfavorable views held by around six in 10 adults for both candidates. Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris enjoys a favorable opinion from 43% of adults, largely driven by strong support from Democrats (74%).

The poll also provided insights into opinions about potential replacements for Biden. Notably, both California Governor Gavin Newsom and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer have been mentioned as possible alternatives, but opinions on their suitability remain largely undeveloped among the public.

As the 2024 election draws nearer, these findings highlight the growing concerns and calls for President Biden to withdraw from the race within his own party. Questions about his mental capability continue to loom large, leaving many Americans uncertain about his ability to effectively lead the nation going forward.