Biden Faces Pressure as Poll Highlights Support for Harris

In the midst of growing pressure on President Joe Biden to reconsider his reelection bid, a majority of Democrats express confidence in Vice President Kamala Harris’s potential to assume the presidency. According to a recent poll by the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, approximately 60% of Democrats believe Harris would perform well as president.

Conversely, around 20% of Democrats doubt her capabilities, while another 20% are undecided.

Following Biden’s challenging debate on June 27, numerous Democrats have begun to view Harris as a viable successor for the party’s presidential nomination, believing she might be more competitive against the GOP nominee, Donald Trump. Despite this, Harris has consistently shown loyalty to Biden, staunchly defending him post-debate.

Oakley Graham, a Democrat from Greenwood, Missouri, praised Biden’s achievements but expressed enthusiasm for Harris as a presidential candidate. “It would be nice to see a person of color, a woman, somebody younger to step up and lead that charge,” said Graham, emphasizing the need for diverse leadership to inspire younger generations.

Black adults, a crucial demographic within the Democratic Party, are notably more supportive of Harris compared to the general American populace. While about 30% of U.S. adults overall believe Harris would excel as president, half hold the opposite view, and 20% remain uncertain.

Harris’s favorability ratings are on par with Biden’s, though she garners slightly fewer unfavorable opinions. The poll indicates that around 40% of U.S. adults have a favorable opinion of Harris, with about half viewing her unfavorably. In comparison, Biden is viewed negatively by roughly 60% of Americans. Notably, around 10% of Americans are undecided about Harris, whereas nearly everyone holds a definitive opinion on Biden.

As President Biden faces mounting calls to step aside, Vice President Kamala Harris emerges as a strong contender among Democrats, who largely believe she would be an effective president. Her potential candidacy could shape the Democratic Party’s strategy heading into the next election cycle, particularly against formidable opponents like Donald Trump. The evolving political landscape underscores the importance of diverse leadership and the role of public opinion in shaping future elections.