As the 2024 election approaches, Democrats are growing increasingly apprehensive about their prospects in crucial Senate and House races following President Biden’s recent decline in polling numbers.
Concerns have escalated within the party, especially after Biden’s widely criticized debate performance, which has cast doubt on their ability to retain control of Congress.
Representative Adam Schiff (D-Calif) acknowledged these concerns during an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday, highlighting that while down-ballot candidates have been performing relatively well compared to Biden in polls, their margins may not be sufficient.
Bob Casey repeatedly dismissed concerns that Joe Biden was unfit to be president — and even tried to spin his age as a strength.
Roll the tape. pic.twitter.com/tZdY4yFb2U
— McCormick War Room (@TeamMcCormickPA) July 3, 2024
“There are concerns with the impact on down-ballot races if the President doesn’t do well,” Schiff admitted. “Our down-ballot candidates in the Senate and House are running ahead of the President, but you can only run so far ahead of the President.”
The focus remains particularly acute in the Senate, where Democrats face a formidable challenge in defending 23 seats compared to the Republicans’ 11. Recent polling aggregates from RealClearPolitics indicate that Biden is trailing former President Donald Trump in all seven key battleground states, further exacerbating anxieties within the party.
Despite Biden’s polling struggles, some Democratic incumbents like Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz) and Sens. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev), Bob Casey Jr. (D-Pa), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis), and Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich) continue to maintain leads in their respective races, according to the RCP aggregates.
However, political analysts caution that Biden’s poll vulnerabilities do not necessarily translate to weakness across the entire Democratic field. Nate Cohen, a political analyst for “The Upshot” at The New York Times, emphasized that broader indicators such as extraordinary election results and polling of other Democratic candidates suggest Biden’s challenges may be contained to his candidacy.
Nevertheless, Republicans have wasted no time leveraging Biden’s perceived weaknesses against their Democratic rivals. In Pennsylvania, for instance, Republican challenger Dave McCormick has launched campaigns criticizing Sen. Bob Casey Jr. over Biden’s age and perceived political viability.
Internally, Democrats are grappling with a growing faction urging Biden to step aside, citing concerns over his age and ability to energize the party’s base. Some prominent figures within the party, including Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio), have voiced apprehension that without a course change, Democrats could face low voter turnout and jeopardize critical races nationwide.
Despite mounting pressure, Biden has remained steadfast in his commitment to leading the Democratic ticket. His supporters within the party have pushed back against calls for him to step aside, warning of potential chaos and division that could ensue from a last-minute leadership change.
As the election cycle progresses, Democrats are keenly aware of the high stakes involved, with many viewing Trump’s potential reelection as a significant threat to democratic norms and institutions. The upcoming months will likely see intensified efforts from both parties as they vie for voter support and navigate the complex political landscape ahead of November.
