The initial post-debate poll has intensified Democrats’ concerns about President Biden’s prospects for reelection, with 57% of registered voters expressing “no real confidence” in his ability to lead the country following his hesitant and stumbling debate performance.
Perhaps most alarming for the Biden campaign is the significant drop in confidence among registered Democratic debate watchers. Before the debate at CNN headquarters in Atlanta, 54% of these viewers felt confident in Biden’s leadership abilities. However, this number plummeted to just 39% after the debate.
In stark contrast, former President Donald Trump retained strong support among his base. Post-debate, 69% of registered Republicans expressed a high level of confidence in Trump’s ability to lead the nation, a slight dip from the 73% who held this view before the debate.
Despite these shifts, the debate did not significantly alter most voters’ presidential choices. A substantial majority (81%) of those who watched the debate reported that it did not affect their decision. Meanwhile, 14% said the debate made them reconsider their choice without changing their minds, and 5% indicated it changed their decision on whom to vote for.
The CNN poll, conducted via text message immediately after the debate, surveyed 565 registered voters who watched the event.
Post-debate perceptions of Biden took a hit, with only 31% of debate watchers viewing him favorably, down from 37% in the pre-debate survey. Conversely, Trump saw a slight improvement in his favorability, with 43% of debate watchers viewing him positively after the debate, compared to 40% before the event.
The debate’s outcome was clear in the eyes of those surveyed, with 67% declaring Trump the winner over Biden. Only 33% felt that Biden had a better performance.
This shift in perception contrasts sharply with the 2020 debates, where a CNN flash poll declared Biden the winner of the first face-off.
The post-debate poll underscores the growing anxiety within the Democratic Party regarding Biden’s ability to maintain voter confidence and secure a second term. The stark decline in confidence among Democratic debate watchers highlights the challenges Biden faces as he seeks to solidify his base and appeal to undecided voters. The performance gap between Biden and Trump, as perceived by debate watchers, further complicates the narrative for Biden’s campaign.
Biden’s debate performance, characterized by moments of hesitation and stumbles, appeared to erode the confidence of even his most loyal supporters. The decline from 54% to 39% among Democrats in terms of confidence is particularly troubling for his campaign, which relies heavily on solidifying and mobilizing the Democratic base.
Trump’s steady confidence rating among Republicans, despite a slight decrease, demonstrates his enduring appeal to his base. This unwavering support is crucial for his campaign, especially in a polarized political landscape where maintaining strong backing from core supporters can significantly impact election outcomes.
The finding that 81% of debate watchers were not swayed by the debate suggests that many voters have already made up their minds, a common phenomenon in deeply divided electorates. However, the 5% who reported changing their minds could still play a pivotal role in a tightly contested race.
The immediate impact of the debate, as captured by the CNN poll, reveals a challenging road ahead for Biden. His campaign will need to address the concerns raised by his debate performance and work to rebuild confidence among Democratic voters. This task is essential not only for securing the Democratic nomination but also for mounting a robust challenge in the general election.
In summary, the post-debate poll results indicate a significant erosion of confidence in Biden’s leadership, particularly among Democrats, while Trump retains strong support among Republicans. The debate’s impact on voter preferences appears limited, but the perceived performance of the candidates has already influenced voter confidence, setting the stage for a contentious election campaign.
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