In a surprising turn of events, President Biden has decided to step aside as the Democratic Party’s nominee, sparking a wave of positive reactions from party members. Many Democrats believe that this move will actually improve their chances of defeating Donald Trump in the upcoming November election. Additionally, the majority of Democrats view Mr. Biden’s legacy as excellent or good, indicating their support for his decision.
According to a recent CBS News/YouGov survey, voters seem optimistic about the party’s prospects moving forward. A significant number of respondents feel that their chances of beating Trump have improved with Biden’s exit from the race. However, there is still some uncertainty among voters, with about three in 10 saying that their perception of the party’s chances depends on who the nominee will be.
Interestingly, those who believe that the party’s chances have improved are more likely to approve of Mr. Biden’s decision to step aside. Both male and female Democrats share a positive outlook on the party’s future, but it is Democratic men who are particularly optimistic. White Democrats are also more likely than Black Democrats to approve of Biden’s decision and believe that the party’s chances have improved.
Looking ahead, most Democrats would now nominate Vice President Kamala Harris as the party’s candidate. With no formal challenger to Harris so far, the majority of Democrats express a preference for her over a generic “someone else.” This sentiment is echoed across different demographics within the party, including gender, age, and race. Liberal Democrats, in particular, are more inclined to support Harris as the nominee.
When it comes to timing, a majority of Democrats would prefer the party to pick a candidate now, while others are willing to wait until the convention. This decision-making process will likely influence the party’s strategy moving forward and could impact their chances in the upcoming election.
Reflecting on President Biden’s tenure, two-thirds of Democrats feel that he was treated fairly by party leaders during his decision-making process. The overwhelming majority of Democratic voters have a positive view of Biden’s legacy, with most believing that history will remember his presidency as excellent or good.
In terms of voter motivation, four in 10 Democrats say that Biden’s decision to step aside has made them more motivated to vote. This initial reaction could play a crucial role in shaping the outcome of the election in the coming weeks. As Trump currently leads the race and has shown strong performance in previous polling against Harris, Democrats will need to rally their base and maintain high levels of motivation to secure victory in November.
The CBS News/YouGov survey was conducted with a national sample of 1,071 registered voters who identify as Democrats, interviewed from July 21-22, 2024. The sample was weighted by gender, age, race, and education based on U.S. Census data and 2020 Presidential vote. The margin of error for the total sample is ±3.4 points, providing a reliable snapshot of Democratic sentiment leading up to the election.
Overall, the Democratic Party faces a critical juncture in the aftermath of Biden’s decision, with the opportunity to regroup, rally behind a new nominee, and refocus their efforts on defeating Trump in November. The coming weeks will be pivotal in determining the party’s path forward and their chances of success in the upcoming election.
