(AURN NEWS) – In the wake of his performance during Thursday’s presidential debate, President Joe Biden’s reelection bid appears to be facing significant challenges, according to a new CBS News/YouGov poll. The survey reveals growing concerns about the incumbent’s fitness for office and a shift in public perception following the debate performance. The poll also indicates a sharp decline in confidence regarding Biden’s mental and cognitive health. Prior to the debate, 65% of registered voters believed Biden lacked the necessary mental and cognitive health to serve as president. This jumped to 72% post-debate, suggesting that his performance may have exacerbated existing doubts.
Perhaps more troubling for the Biden campaign is the increasing sentiment among voters, including Democrats, that he should not be seeking reelection. Overall, 72% of registered voters believe Biden should not be running for president. Even within his own party, support appears to be waning. While 54% of Democrats still back his reelection bid, 46% now oppose it – a significant shift from February when 64% of Democrats supported his candidacy.
The debate itself seems to have widened the gap between Biden and his predecessor, Donald Trump, in terms of perceived effectiveness and presidential demeanor. Among registered voters, 47% felt Trump presented his ideas clearly during the debate, compared to only 21% for Biden. The disparity was even more noticeable when it came to appearing presidential during the debate, with 46% favoring Trump’s performance versus 28% for Biden.
Click play to listen to the AURN News report from Jamie Jackson: