In a recent poll conducted by Data for Progress, Vice President Kamala Harris has emerged as the favored candidate to replace President Joe Biden, should he abandon his reelection campaign. The poll, which surveyed 1,011 likely voters in the United States, including 387 Democratic voters, revealed that 39 percent of Democratic respondents believed Harris would be the most suitable choice to take Biden's place at the top of the ticket.

The survey, conducted on Friday, carries a margin of error of 3 percentage points. It asked participants who they believed should be selected if the Democratic Party were to hold a convention among its members to choose a replacement for Biden. In addition to Harris, California Governor Gavin Newsom was selected by 18 percent of Democratic respondents as their choice, while Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg garnered 10 percent of the vote.

Senator Cory Booker received 7 percent of the votes, closely followed by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer at 6 percent. Senator Amy Klobuchar, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro each garnered only 2 percent. Interestingly, 6 percent of respondents mentioned that their preferred choice would be someone not listed, while 9 percent remained unsure.

While the Biden campaign has clarified that the president has no intentions of dropping out, the poll's results have fueled speculation among some Democrats regarding the possibility of replacing Biden on the ballot. However, experts caution against the potential risks associated with such a move, as a new candidate would face the challenges of being vetted on the national stage and potentially facing decreased favorability.

The poll also sheds light on public opinion regarding President Biden's candidacy. Approximately 51 percent of Democrats and 35 percent of all likely voters expressed their belief that Biden should remain the Democratic presidential candidate. A separate Morning Consult poll conducted after Thursday's debate revealed that 47 percent of Democratic voters and 59 percent of independent voters also believed Biden should be replaced as the party's nominee.

President Biden himself addressed the concerns at a rally in North Carolina, acknowledging that he may not possess the same agility, eloquence, or debate skills as in the past. However, he emphasized his ability to discern the truth, distinguish right from wrong, and perform the responsibilities of the presidency effectively.

Elaine Kamarck, a Democratic National Committee member and author of the book "Primary Politics", outlined several potential scenarios for Biden's replacement as the Democratic Party's presidential candidate. These scenarios include Biden voluntarily stepping aside before his official nomination at the August convention, facing challenges from other candidates aiming to win over his accumulated delegates, or withdrawing after the convention and allowing the DNC to elect a new candidate to run against presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump.

The Biden campaign has yet to provide a comment regarding the poll's findings. As the speculation continues, the Democratic Party faces the delicate balance and potential repercussions of exploring alternatives while still maintaining a unified front for the upcoming election.