As President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump gear up for their highly anticipated debate next month, concerns are rising in their camps as both candidates struggle to secure their base voters for a potential rematch in the 2024 election. The dynamics of the race took an unexpected twist when Nikki Haley, a former GOP candidate who dropped out months ago, continues to garner significant support in Republican primaries, posing a challenge to Trump's dominance within his party.

Despite withdrawing from the Republican presidential nomination race, Haley has emerged as a strong contender in the GOP primaries, eating into Trump's voter base. The latest evidence of her influence came from the recent primaries in Maryland, Nebraska, and West Virginia, where she captured 21% support in Maryland and 18% in Nebraska, particularly resonating with suburban areas. This development creates a potential general election problem for Trump, who continues to face a criminal trial, making him the first former or current president to stand in such a case.

Political analysts have suggested that this surge of support for Haley reflects a desire among some Republicans to express their dissatisfaction with the presumed nominee. David Kochel, a veteran Republican consultant, acknowledged the warning signs flashing in these primaries and advised the Trump campaign to find ways to reassure the Haley voters, emphasizing the need to go beyond a base-only strategy.

On the other side, Biden faced a red flag in Tuesday's Maryland primaries, where 10% of votes were marked as "uncommitted." This signals dissatisfaction among far-left voters with the president's position on Israel's conflict with Hamas in Gaza. Biden's anemic poll numbers in key battleground states have also come to light, leading some to question the motives behind his proposal for presidential debates with Trump in June and early September, to which Trump has readily agreed.

Mark Penn, a prominent Democratic pollster and former political advisor to former President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, viewed Biden's debate proposal as a sign of weakness. Penn noted that candidates typically avoid debates when they are leading in the polls, implying that Biden's willingness to engage with Trump stems from an uphill battle in his re-election campaign.

Recent national surveys have consistently shown that many Americans are far from enthusiastic about the prospect of a rematch between Biden, 81, and Trump, 77. Observers worry that pitting these historically unpopular politicians against each other on a debate stage watched by millions may further underscore the country's dissatisfaction with their choices.

As the campaign unfolds and the debate draws nearer, both Biden and Trump face the challenge of rallying their respective base voters while addressing the concerns that have emerged during the primaries. The outcome of this base-building endeavor may shape the trajectory of the 2024 election rematch, as well as the future direction of the two major political parties in the United States.