Democrats on Biden's future: Two-thirds prefer a new nominee, poll shows
What if Biden drops out of 2024 race?
Biden has maintained that he will not step aside and will be the Democratic candidate, but what happens if he drops out of the race? LiveNOW from FOX's Josh Breslow posed the question to John Hanley, an associate lecturer at the School of Politics, Security and International Affairs at the University of Central Florida.
WASHINGTON - President Joe Biden continues to face mounting pressure to step down as the presumptive Democratic nominee, and a recent poll shows just how badly his party wants him to do so.
Nearly two-thirds of Democrats say Biden should withdraw from the presidential race and let his party nominate a different candidate.
The new survey by the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, conducted as Biden works to salvage his candidacy two weeks after his debate flop, also found that only about 3 in 10 Democrats are extremely or very confident that he has the mental capability to serve effectively as president, down slightly from 40% in an AP-NORC poll in February.
The poll provides some evidence that Black Democrats are among Biden’s strongest supporters, with roughly half in the survey saying he should continue running, compared to about 3 in 10 white and Hispanic Democrats. Overall, seven in 10 Americans think Biden should drop out, with Democrats only slightly less likely than Republicans and independents to say that he should make way for a new nominee.
What percentage of Democrats prefer a new nominee?
RELATED: Rep. Adam Schiff calls on Biden to drop out of presidential race
People aren't just sour on Biden as they size up their choices this election season.
Biden remains in 2024 Presidential Race
After two major flubs by President Biden in speeches on Thursday, members of the Democratic Party have increased their calls for Biden to drop out of the 2024 presidential race in favor of a younger candidate. LiveNOW from FOX's Josh Breslow speaks with political strategist Denny Salas of Gotham Government Relation for more insight.
By contrast, most Republicans – about 6 in 10 – came out of the debate very or somewhat satisfied with Trump as their candidate. Too few interviews were conducted after the assassination attempt to provide a clear indication of whether Republicans or Americans overall have rallied further around Trump since then.
About 6 in 10 Americans want Trump to withdraw -- but relatively few Republicans are in that camp.
Why do democrats want Biden to step down?
Biden’s poor debate performance on June 27 has seemingly split the Democratic Party on its view of the future. Does the 81-year-old career politician still have the best chance at beating former President Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee?
RELATED: Hakeem Jeffries says he met with Biden, shared concerns from Democratic caucus
The Associated Press reported that staffers say Biden is often sharp and focused. But he also has moments when his thoughts seem jumbled, and he trails off mid-sentence or seems confused. Sometimes he doesn’t grasp the finer points of policy details. He occasionally forgets people’s names, stares blankly and moves slowly around the room.
More House Democrats call for Biden to withdraw from race
On Friday, Representative Mike Levin of California became the latest Democrat to call for President Joe Biden to step back from his reelection bid. Levin is now the fifth member to call on Biden to withdraw since the president's NATO press conference on Thursday. FOX 11 Los Angeles anchor & reporter Elex Michaelson joins LiveNOW from FOX.
There is no unanimity on what should be done, and time is not on the Democratic Party’s side. Next month, it convenes in Chicago for the nominating convention, and Election Day is less than four months away.
What President Biden is saying
President Biden has conceded the debate didn’t go well for him, but has maintained he is ready to fight for a second term as president.
He is publicly urging his supporters to stay unified, and said Sunday at a public appearance in Pennsylvania that he feels the most optimistic he’s ever felt about America’s future.
On Monday, he sent a letter to Hill Democrats insisting he’s "declining" to step aside and said it’s time for the party drama "to end."
Which Democrats have said Biden should drop out?
The list includes:
Rep. Adam Schiff of California
Rep. Adam Schiff of California told the Los Angeles Times on Tuesday, July 16, that he wanted President Biden to drop his reelection bid.
He cited "serious concerns" that Biden could defeat former President Donald Trump.
RELATED: List of Democrats calling on Biden to drop out
Rep. Mike Levin of California
Mike Levin became the second San Diego-area Democrat to call for Biden to "pass the torch" on Friday, FOX News reported. "I have deep respect for President Biden’s five plus decades of public service and incredible appreciation for the work we’ve done together these last three and a half years." he said. "But I believe the time has come for President Biden to pass the torch."
Rep. Brittany Pettersen of Colorado
Brittany Pettersen, a first-term rep from Colorado, issued a statement on Friday calling on the president to "pass the torch," FOX News reported. "Joe Biden saved our country once, and I’m joining the growing number of people in my district and across the country to ask him to do it again."
This story was reported from Detroit. The Associated Press and FOX News contributed. This story was reported from Los Angeles.