A majority of voters rate President Joe Biden’s mental fitness as poor or failing but don’t see a clear front-runner to replace him.
In the latest I&I/TIPP poll, when voters were asked to grade the 81-year-old’s “mental acuity,” 33% said “fail,” and another 18% said “poor.”
Just 29% gave the president a “good” to “excellent” grade.
The survey, conducted before the release last Thursday of a special counsel’s nearly 400-page report that repeatedly called the president’s mind foggy and forgetful, is the latest to reinforce multiple polls and reports of voter concern about Biden’s mental health.
And even though majorities want the president to step aside and not run for reelection, 61% said they do not believe Biden will get out of the race, according to the survey shared with Secrets.
In its analysis, Issues & Insights said, “Noting the precedents of former presidents Harry S. Truman and Lyndon Johnson both dropping out of the running in March of their reelection year campaigns, I&I/TIPP asked voters: ‘In your opinion, how likely is it that President Joe Biden will drop out in March of 2024?’ Just 28% of those responding answered either ‘very likely’ (11%) or ‘somewhat likely’ (17%). Another 62% said it was either ‘not very likely’ (35%) or ‘not at all likely’ (27%), with 11% saying they were not sure.”
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One reason may be that voters don’t see a clear alternative.
While, to many Democrats, the obvious pick is Vice President Kamala Harris, just 20% named her as the top contender. Some 18% chose “someone else,” “not sure,” and “prefer not to answer.”
