Poll reveals number of Americans who believe Biden’s cognitive decline affects his ability to serve as president
More and more Americans are concerned that President Joe Biden no longer has the cognitive abilities to function as president.
This follows Biden’s performance in which he got into a car accident during the CNN debate in Atlanta, Georgia, on Thursday against former President Donald Trump.
The number of registered voters who believe that 81-year-old Biden is not fit for the title of commander in chief grew by seven percent from earlier this month.
Before the debate, 65 percent of respondents in a June 9 poll said Biden doesn’t have the mental fitness to serve another four years, but after the debate, that number grew to 72 percent. according to the CBS News/YouGov survey.
And nearly half (46 percent) of Biden’s own party believes he should not run for president in 2024.
CBS News polls show that from early June until after the debate, voters increasingly believe President Joe Biden does not have the cognitive health to serve another term in the White House.
Despite Democratic Party members, donors and strategists arguing that it may be time for Biden to step aside, there appears to be a lack of alternative options and many lawmakers are unwilling to switch candidates this late in the game.
Nearly three-quarters of voters from all parties said Biden should not run for president — and most said it was because of his age.
A whopping 86 percent said Biden’s age is the reason they don’t want Biden to run for re-election, while the next highest reason was the 71 percent who are concerned about the decisions he might make in a second term.
Sixty-six percent say they are concerned about his record from his first term
Voters typically cite inflation and the economy as their top issues heading into November, and many view Biden as weak in those areas and argue they were better off financially under Trump.
Another major issue is the crisis at the southern border, which has intensified under Biden’s presidency.
Doubts increased from before the debate to after the debate about Biden’s mental acuity and cognitive health.
Biden stumbled through Thursday’s debate with Trump, often speaking softly, mumbling or losing his train of thought. When Trump spoke, the split screen showed the president with his mouth open and a blank stare.
The outcome prompted a chorus of calls for Biden to end his candidacy — even from some of his strongest supporters.
On the other hand, Trump’s debate performance has only increased his party’s support.
Fifty percent of registered voters think the 78-year-old has the cognitive ability to run for a second term in 2024 — only 27 percent feel the same way about Biden.
Of the 1,130 respondents, all said Trump won the debate on several counts.
While 46 percent said he seemed more presidential, only 28 percent said that about the current president.
Only 18 percent of voters said Biden inspired confidence in the debate.
It’s unclear what will happen next, but Biden will spend his Sunday at Camp David discussing the future of this race with his family.
Some blame First Lady Jill Biden for pushing her husband to continue campaigning for re-election, and Republican Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-Wy.) accused the first lady of “elder abuse.”