Polls show that about 54% of Americans do not support the job President Joe Biden is doing, and even Democratic Party supporters have expressed concerns about the president’s age. But Mr. Biden has no significant challengers within the Democratic Party for the 2024 election, making it almost certain that he will receive the party’s nomination for a second presidential term.
In Arlington, Virginia, some Democrats express concern that President Joe Biden will be their party’s nominee in the 2024 presidential election. The main reason is age.
“He has broad knowledge, but as an effective president, his actions are a little slower than they should be,” says Darin Marshall.
“Many people hope that other candidates will enter the race and be supported by the party,” says councilor Melissa Fry.
“Competition is healthy and in some cases necessary, for people to show their skills,” says Yaileen Rodriguez.
So far, only two candidates are challenging the incumbent, spiritual activist Marianne Williamson and environmental activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
VOA spoke with Mr. Ben Berger, professor of political science at Swarthmore College.
“No one will get the party’s nomination, if we are based on history. The only way we will have another Democratic candidate is if Mr. Biden decides to leave.”
Historians say it is very difficult to beat an incumbent president for the party’s nomination.
“The name of the incumbent president is known by everyone. The incumbent president has funding sources that his competitor cannot provide. And of course, he has experience in campaigning and governance,” Allan Lichtman, professor of history at American University, told VOA.
“Jimmy Carter was a weak president in 1980 and was challenged by Senator Ted Kennedy. “George Bush the elder was a very weak president and was challenged in 1992. Challenges have happened, but it’s rare that challengers win,” says David Greenberg, professor of history at Rutgers University.
It looks like President Biden will face former President Donald Trump again, making it likely that Democratic voters will show support for him in next year’s election, says political analyst Pope “Mac” McCorkle.
“While it seems that things are headed that way again, because of the age of both, because of Trump’s legal problems, there may be changes in the scene until election day in 2024.”
With 14 months to go before the general election, analysts say the race is in its early stages and that candidate polls have no predictive value for the outcome of the 2024 election.
