A new survey commissioned by Newsweek suggests that many of the people who voted for Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election would back him stepping away from the 2024 White House race.
The poll, conducted by Redfield & Wilton Strategies and involving 1,500 eligible U.S. voters, found that 54% of those who supported Biden in 2020 are in favor of him bowing out of the upcoming election, while only 21% are against it.
Among all participants, including those who voted Democrat in 2020, 45% support Biden leaving the race, with 30% opposed.
Republican critics have mainly focused on Biden’s age and mental sharpness, especially considering the potential matchup against 77-year-old Donald Trump in November.
Both Biden and Trump won big on ‘Super Tuesday,’ solidifying their positions as front-runners for their respective party nominations.
The survey asked people if they would support or oppose Biden ending his campaign for the Democratic nomination in 2024. Among those who voted for Biden in 2020, 54% expressed some level of support for him stepping aside, while only 21% were against it.
Among Trump voters from 2020, 42% supported Biden dropping out, showing a divided sentiment among voters.
If Biden were to withdraw from the race, the survey found no clear consensus on his potential Democratic successor. Vice President Kamala Harris emerged as the top choice with 15% support, followed by Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama, each with 10%.
However, 29% of respondents were uncertain about their preferred nominee if Biden were to exit the race.
Despite calls for Biden to step aside, a recent Morning Consult survey indicates a close race between Biden and Trump, with Biden leading by just one point among registered voters.
Biden’s recent State of the Union address accused Trump of being too friendly with Russia and trying to misrepresent the truth about the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, drawing criticism from Trump for its divisive tone.