David Axelrod, a former senior advisor to President Barack Obama, has suggested that President Joe Biden might want to reconsider his bid for re-election in light of a recent New York Times/Siena College poll that positions him behind former President Donald Trump.
Axelrod, reflecting on the political landscape, noted that while Biden’s determination to run appears unshaken and it’s early to switch leadership, the current poll numbers could incite serious anxiety within the Democratic Party—not just alarmist reactions, but genuine concern for the future.
In subsequent remarks, Axelrod underscored that the ultimate decision rests with Biden, stating, “Only @JoeBiden can make this decision. If he opts to stay in the race, he’s poised to become the Democratic Party’s nominee. Yet, what he must weigh is the prudence of such a decision; not just for his own interests, but for the nation’s.”
Highlighting the stakes, Axelrod emphasized the critical need for a Democratic victory, labeling Trump as “a perilous and erratic demagogue.”
The poll revealed that in five key swing states Biden had previously won, he’s now trailing Trump by margins between 3 to 10 percentage points among registered voters. Only in Wisconsin does Biden maintain a slight edge of 2 percentage points.
The findings arrive amidst rising concern among Democratic voters regarding Biden’s age and policy choices, as reported by The Hill.
The survey disclosed a striking perception among voters, with 71% agreeing that Biden may be “just too old to be an effective president,” a sentiment only 39% of participants shared about Trump.
When questioned about Biden’s “mental sharpness to serve effectively as president,” 62% disagreed, whereas 35% concurred. Conversely, Trump was considered mentally sharp by 52% of those surveyed, with 44% dissenting.
Axelrod remarked on Biden’s age as his “most significant handicap,” a factor beyond his control, noting, “Among the myriad of uncertainties in politics, one constant remains: age only advances in one direction.”
These comments align with a broader dialogue among some Democrats who have voiced concerns that Biden’s age may render him less suited to pursue re-election next year.
