President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign is reportedly evaluating Vice President Kamala Harris’ chances in a head-to-head matchup against former President Donald Trump. Multiple sources have confirmed this move, highlighting growing concerns within the Democratic Party regarding Biden’s electability.
According to The New York Times, the Biden campaign’s analytics team has been quietly conducting a survey to assess Harris’ strength in a general election against Trump. Despite this strategic shift, White House spokesperson Andrew Bates has refuted claims of a secret survey, stating, “Unequivocally, this is not true. President Biden’s team is strongly behind him.”
Internal Doubts and External Pressures
The push to test Harris’ viability comes amid increasing scrutiny and calls for Biden to step aside. NBC News reported that several Biden campaign insiders view his chances of winning as slim. “He needs to drop out,” one campaign official said. Another insider added, “No one involved in the effort thinks he has a path.”
This sentiment has been echoed by wealthy donors and some Democratic lawmakers. A number of donors have cut off funding, demanding Biden’s replacement before they resume support. Additionally, some lawmakers have expressed doubts about Biden’s electability after his performance in the first 2024 presidential debate.
The New York Times further revealed that a small group of advisers within the Biden administration and campaign are discussing ways to convince him to step aside. They believe Biden needs to be persuaded that he will lose to Trump, that another Democrat can win, and that the Democratic Party can remain unified if he withdraws. One source mentioned, “I don’t believe the president is aware of these discussions.”
Polling and Public Opinion on Kamala Harris
Recent polls reflect the uncertainty surrounding Biden’s campaign. An ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll found that Americans are divided between Biden and Trump, with a slight edge to Trump. However, if Harris were to replace Biden, the poll shows Harris leading Trump by a small margin among both all adults and registered voters.
Harris has been defending Biden on the campaign trail, emphasizing his resilience. “The one thing we know about our President Joe Biden is that he is a fighter,” Harris said during an outreach effort to Asian American voters. “When you get knocked down, you get back up.”