As concerns grow over President Joe Biden‘s age and mental acuity for a potential second term, recent polling data from Rasmussen Reports reveals a significant sentiment among Democrats favoring former First Lady Michelle Obama as a potential replacement candidate for the party’s 2024 presidential ticket.
The poll, as reported by the NY POST, indicates a striking 48% of Democratic respondents expressing a preference for finding an alternative candidate to replace Biden before the November election. This sentiment underscores growing apprehensions within the Democratic Party regarding Biden’s ability to secure reelection.
While nearly half of Democratic respondents support the notion of replacing Biden, 38% express opposition to the idea, highlighting a notable divide within the party’s ranks.
Despite the desire for a potential shakeup, only 33% of Democrats believe that the party will indeed replace Biden with another candidate. A substantial 45% view such a scenario as unlikely, with 18% considering it improbable altogether.
Michelle Obama emerges as a leading contender among potential replacements, securing 20% support among Democratic respondents. Other candidates considered include Vice President Kamala Harris, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, California Governor Gavin Newsom, and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Nevertheless, a significant portion of respondents—27%—opted for “none of the above” candidates.
While 15% of respondents expressed a preference for Kamala Harris as Biden’s replacement, 27% indicated that none of the identified Democrats in the poll would be superior to Biden, with 6% expressing uncertainty.
Michelle Obama, despite being a compelling advocate for Democratic causes, has consistently denied any interest in pursuing a presidential bid. In a recent podcast interview, she expressed apprehension about the potential outcome of the 2024 presidential election.
Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris has affirmed her readiness to serve if necessary but has criticized criticisms against Biden, dismissing the special counsel Robert Hur report on Biden’s handling of classified documents as politically motivated.
Speculation surrounding Michelle Obama’s potential candidacy has been ongoing, with Senator Ted Cruz suggesting last year that she could be named the Democratic party’s presidential nominee at the Democratic National Convention, held in her hometown of Chicago.
President Biden, currently the oldest president in US history, faces comparisons to GOP front-runner and former President Donald Trump, 77, in several crucial battleground state polls. However, he has not indicated any intention to step down, signaling his commitment to completing his term. Biden would turn 86 by the end of a potential second term in the White House.
The evolving dynamics within the Democratic Party underscore the complexities and uncertainties surrounding the upcoming 2024 presidential election, where a potential shift in leadership could significantly impact the party’s electoral prospects.
Dhairya Saraswat