A new Harvard-Harris Poll, released last week, provides insights into the American public’s perception of President Joe Biden’s fitness for office and its potential impact on the 2024 election.
The poll covers various aspects, including Biden’s mental health, age, economic handling, and hypothetical matchups with former President Donald Trump.
Additionally, the survey touches upon views regarding Biden’s potential candidacy for a second term and the implications of the poll results on the political landscape.
Harvard-Harris Poll Reveals Public’s Perception of Biden’s Fitness and Mental Health:
The poll reveals that a significant portion of Americans, 59%, harbor doubts about President Biden’s fitness for office. However, 41% believe he is mentally fit. Interestingly, a staggering 76% of Democrats express confidence in Biden’s mental health, while only a quarter of Democrats believe he is in the throes of cognitive decline.
Nancy Pelosi vehemently defended Biden, alluding to age being relative and citing examples of vibrant individuals in their 90s and 100s. “Again, age is relative,” said Nancy Pelosi, former House Speaker.
"I was in LA for some Democratic stuff recently, and I met with Norman Lear, who's 100, going on 101. He was telling me some new shows he was involved in, and I was meeting with Frank Gehry, the 90-something architect showing me new buildings he's building throughout the world. And they were like, 'Biden, 80? He's a kid!' It's relative."
The poll indicates that 61% of Americans believe the country is on the “wrong track” overall, with similar sentiments towards the nation’s economy. A significant majority, 60%, lack confidence in President Biden’s ability to handle economic problems. As for Biden’s job approval, 44% either “strongly approve” or “somewhat approve,” while 55% express disapproval.
In a hypothetical 2024 Democratic primary, 62% of respondents expressed support for Biden, with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. trailing at 16%. Interestingly, 64% of respondents believe Biden should not run for a second term. In a direct matchup between Biden and Trump, the poll shows Trump leading with 45% to Biden’s 40%. If Vice President Kamala Harris ran in Biden’s place, Trump would win 47% to Harris’s 38%.
The poll highlights that 59% of Americans have doubts about Biden’s mental fitness, while 68% believe he is “too old.” Only 32% believe he remains fit for the office. It is worth noting that conservative media and former President Donald Trump have long accused Biden of cognitive decline. The credibility of these allegations and their impact on Biden’s presidency and public perception are subjects of interest.
“Biden himself wants to reduce the power of his Supreme Court. They don’t even have half the power of our Supreme Court,” said Iddo Netanyahu, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s younger brother.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s younger brother, Iddo Netanyahu, questioned Biden’s cognitive acuity, suggesting the American leader lacks understanding of Israel’s judicial controversy. However, he later retracted the comments, clarifying that he does not cast doubt on President Biden’s condition and that Biden remains a great friend of Israel. The significance of these comments and their implications on international relations are noteworthy.
“Not casting doubt on President Biden’s condition, who is a great friend of Israel,” Netanyahu later clarified.
The poll reports that 63% of respondents believe the matter of cocaine found in the White House should be investigated further. Meanwhile, 37% find the Secret Service’s conclusions acceptable. The public’s concern and reaction to this issue warrant examination.
Expectations for the 2024 Presidential and Primary Debates:
The first 2024 Republican presidential debate is scheduled for August 23 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The expectations for this debate and its potential impact on the Republican primary race are points of interest.
The Democratic National Committee has expressed full-throated support for Biden and is not expected to hold any official primary debates. The implications of this stance on the Democratic primary process are subject to analysis.
The Harvard-Harris Poll results provide valuable insights into President Biden’s reputation, potential candidacy in the 2024 election, and the broader political landscape. This report aims to analyze the findings and their implications on Biden’s leadership, public perception, and the dynamics of the upcoming election.