Democratic voters: fear, tension and disillusionment with Biden before the debate

While Democrats in Washington question the viability of the Joe Biden’s candidacy For the November elections, ordinary voters are also not satisfied with the options they have. Between fear of the rise of Donald Trumpapathy and distrust, raise the following question: why is it worth voting in these elections?

Less than four months before the presidential elections, Democratic voters surveyed by EFE in California and Texas express frustration at the options before them and say they were already worried about the Biden’s ability to govern long before the first presidential debate, which sparked a political storm.

From her home in the suburbs of San Antonio (Texas), Amanda Willet claimed to have witnessed the “deterioration” in the Biden’s health. For her, “It was not necessary“The face to face between the candidates for”realizing that he (the president) just isn’t quite right”.

“Nowadays everything is on social media, there are videos of everything“, he explained.

Biden’s 81 years, coupled with the recent health problems he has experienced that denote the deterioration of his abilities, raises concerns among Democratic voters when it comes to betting on him. Democratic candidatewho if re-elected would be 86 at the end of his term.

Concerns about Biden’s age

“I was deeply concerned about his health, age and mental acuity long before the debate, but the debate proved that all our worst fears had been true.“Jacob (fictitious name), a 31-year-old lawyer living in San Diego, California, told EFE.

For Jacob, Biden “I should have left a year and a half ago“the race for the White House.

Opinions regarding the feasibility of Biden As a Democratic candidate, this was evident during the debate on June 27, which showed a tired president unable to confront Trump.

Polls have been warning of this sentiment among the electorate since last year. In August of last year, 69% of Democratic voters believed that age was a problem for Biden’s re-election, according to a survey conducted by the University of Chicago (NORC).

The same perception was found in a study by the New York newspaper The Wall Street Journal, published in September 2023: two-thirds of Democratic voters surveyed said that Biden was “too old“as to stand for election.

These perceptions have expanded since the debate, and now citizens are not only worried, but want Biden to drop out. More than half of Democratic voters want to see another candidate on the ballot, according to the latest NORC poll released Wednesday.

The dilemma of not voting as a form of protest

Some of the Democratic Party’s fervent voters are hesitating between voting for Biden out of inertia to curb the rise of Trumpnot voting as a form of protest or embracing an independent candidate.

“I may not vote at all in this year’s presidential election if I don’t like the options.“said Jacob, who already reluctantly voted for Biden in the last elections in an attempt to stop the re-election of Trump.

Dylan, a 27-year-old resident of Los Angeles, will continue that line this year, since, although he retired Biden of the conflict, nor does he trust in any other alternative.

“Personally, I would support his resignation, although I am not very enthusiastic about any alternative they present, as it will just be another centrist and we will not see any real change.“He said, he has more progressive positions.

So will Claire, 28, a resident of Los Angeles, who already believes she is “too late to change candidate“nor does he believe that there could be another more competent candidate among the Democratic ranks capable of overcoming the predicted results.

A poll released this week by the CBS television network indicates that Trump’s lead over Biden has increased to five points.

“The last time I felt hopeful about a Democrat or a candidate in general was with Obama and I believe that it is necessary for a candidate to give people hope in order to motivate them to vote.“, he told EFE.

Other voters, like Amanda, are taking refuge in the independent vote. Neither one nor the other, even though the chances of change are slim.

“We desperately need someone different, someone to restore our hope, to give us energy. I feel like the country has been through so much (since Covid-19), we are more divided than ever and I wonder who is going to step up and make a difference. I’m just praying that something happens, something different.“Amanda said.