Many Democrats are reacting positively to President Biden stepping aside as the party’s nominee, believing this decision will improve their chances of beating Donald Trump in November. Voters are more likely to say that their chances of defeating Trump have gotten better now that Biden is no longer a contender, with both men and women Democrats agreeing that the party’s chances have improved. White Democrats, in particular, are more likely than Black Democrats to approve of Biden stepping aside and believe that the party’s chances have improved.
A majority of Democrats would now nominate Vice President Kamala Harris, with about eight in 10 Democrats preferring her over a generic “someone else.” This preference for Harris is consistent across gender, age, and race, with liberal Democrats being even more likely to choose her as the nominee. Most Democrats also prefer the party to pick a candidate now rather than wait until the convention, indicating a sense of urgency in selecting a new nominee.
When looking back at Biden’s decision to step aside, two-thirds of Democrats feel that he was treated fairly by party leaders. Overall, Democratic voters have a positive view of Biden’s legacy, with many believing that people will look back on it as excellent or good. Biden’s decision to withdraw from the race has sparked a sense of motivation among four in 10 Democrats, with many feeling more inclined to vote in the upcoming election. This sentiment could prove critical to Democrats’ fortunes in the coming weeks, especially since Trump led the race going into the weekend.
The CBS News/YouGov survey, based on a national sample of 1,071 registered Democratic voters interviewed in July 2024, provides insight into Democratic voters’ opinions following Biden’s decision. The sample was weighted by gender, age, race, and education to ensure representativeness, and the margin of error for the total sample is ±3.4 points. Anthony Salvanto, CBS News’ executive director of elections and surveys, oversees the polls and surveys across topics, providing valuable insights into voter sentiments and preferences.
In conclusion, many Democrats view President Biden’s decision to step aside favorably, believing that it will improve the party’s chances of defeating Donald Trump in November. The preference for Vice President Kamala Harris as the new nominee is strong across different demographics, with most Democrats wanting the party to pick a candidate promptly. Overall, Democratic voters have a positive view of Biden’s legacy and feel motivated to vote following his withdrawal from the race. These sentiments may play a crucial role in shaping the outcome of the upcoming election and influencing the Democrats’ fortunes in the race against Trump.
