In a recent poll conducted by ABC News, the Washington Post, and Ipsos, it has been revealed that two-thirds of Americans, including a majority of Joe Biden's own supporters, believe that he should step aside as the Democratic Party's presumptive nominee for president due to his underwhelming debate performance two weeks ago. Despite this sentiment, the poll also indicated that Biden's standing against President Donald Trump remains unchanged, with both candidates receiving nearly equal support from voters.

According to the poll, if the election were held today, the preferences of Americans would be split evenly between Biden and Trump, with both candidates capturing 46% of the vote. This result aligns closely with the findings of a similar survey conducted in April, where Biden trailed Trump by a narrow margin. Among registered voters, the race is currently a dead heat, with both candidates tied at 46%.

Interestingly, the poll also explored the potential outcome if Vice President Kamala Harris were to replace Biden as the Democratic nominee. The results showed that Harris would fare slightly better than Biden, with a 49% to 46% margin against Trump among all adults. However, this lead is not statistically significant, indicating a highly competitive matchup between Harris and Trump.

However, despite holding steady in the polls, Biden did suffer significant reputational damage from the debate. A striking 67% of respondents believe he should withdraw from the race, with an overwhelming 85% stating that he is too old for a second term. These figures represent a steady increase from previous polls conducted in April and over a year ago.

The poll also assessed the perceived mental sharpness and physical health of the candidates. Trump emerged as the leader in both categories, with a significant 30-percentage point advantage over Biden in terms of mental sharpness. Trump's lead was equally significant in terms of physical health, and both advantages have widened since April.

On the flip side, Biden continues to maintain a better personal favorability rating compared to Trump. Furthermore, Biden leads Trump by a considerable margin of 17 points in terms of being seen as more honest and trustworthy, a sentiment that has remained steady since the spring.

However, the survey also revealed that both candidates face significant criticism. Four out of ten Americans believe that neither candidate has the mental sharpness or physical health required to effectively serve as president. Additionally, 50% of respondents feel that Trump should step aside in favor of another nominee, although very few of Trump's supporters share this view.

The poll results reflect not only the impact of the debate on Biden's reputation but also the polarization of the nation. Biden's unfavorable performance during the debate led to 50% of respondents forming a less favorable opinion of him, compared to only 22% who felt the same way about Trump. Among those who watched the debate, 61% stated that their opinion of Biden worsened after the event.

The sentiment to have Biden step aside from the race is echoed across various demographic groups, though to varying degrees. Black Americans held the lowest percentage, at 49%, while Democrats and independent voters showed higher support for Biden's withdrawal, with 56% and 72% respectively. Surprisingly, even among those who had a favorable opinion of Biden, 55% believed he should step aside.

Although Harris would be the leading choice among Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents if Biden were to withdraw, only 44% of Americans overall would be satisfied with her as the Democratic nominee, with 53% expressing dissatisfaction. Nonetheless, among Biden's current supporters, satisfaction with Harris reaches an impressive 76%.

The poll results also cemented Trump's perceived victory in the debate, with two-thirds of Americans, including 74% of those who watched the event, declaring Trump as the winner. In contrast, among Biden supporters, 59% believed he emerged victorious. This divergence in opinions further highlights the loyalty Biden maintains among his supporters, despite their acknowledgment of his subpar debate performance.

Overall, while Biden's support remains relatively steady in the face of Trump, the poll highlights concerns over his performance in the debate and his perceived age. With his approval rating at a 36% low, it raises questions about the impact of future appearances, including his scheduled news conference later this week.

The findings also shed light on Harris's performance against Trump, showcasing similar results to Biden, thereby keeping the race competitive. With the upcoming election approaching, all eyes will be on the candidates as they strive to gain an edge in this closely contested battle for the presidency.