Internal divisions within the Democratic Party have reached a boiling point following President Joe Biden’s lackluster debate performance against former President Donald Trump. The Biden campaign is reportedly testing Vice President Kamala Harris’ strength against Trump in a head-to-head survey of voters, according to The New York Times. This move suggests that the campaign may be preparing to consider a change in leadership, sparking a heated debate about whether Biden should step aside for Harris.
The Times‘ report, based on anonymous sources, reveals that the Biden campaign has put a poll in the field this week, examining how Harris would fare against Trump. This marks the first time since the debate that Biden’s aides have sought to measure the vice president’s potential as a top-of-the-ticket candidate. The poll indicates that the campaign may be seriously considering a leadership change, as Harris has not been seen as a strong contender for the presidency.
Biden allies have previously pointed to outside surveys showing other Democrats polling similarly against Trump, but these efforts have been met with skepticism. Harris’ own presidential bid in 2020 was marked by financial struggles and a lack of support, leading many to question her ability to lead the party.
Despite these challenges, some Democrats believe Harris could be a stronger communicator of the party’s message. Donors and outside supporters of the vice president think she might be in a better position after the debate, and could bring a more energetic approach to the campaign.
However, the Biden campaign’s decision to test Harris against Trump has been met with mixed signals. A memo shared by the campaign on Thursday appeared to contradict the decision to poll-test the VP, stating that hypothetical polling of alternative nominees is unreliable and does not account for the negative media environment.
As the Republican Party prepares to officially nominate Trump and his vice presidential pick, the Democratic Party is struggling to present a united front. With the Biden campaign’s leadership in question, Democrats are left wondering who their nominee will be in November.
