Joe Biden vs. Donald Trump in 2024 Presidential Election? Speculation on Whether the President Will Run Again Heats Up
Speculation on whether President Joe Biden will run again in the 2024 election heats up as his age, and faltering approval ratings continue to be significant problems in his camp.
Although he has already announced his intention to run for reelection, Biden has been quiet on concerns about whether he could commit to another presidential campaign given his age.
According to The Hill, the Democrats brace for a difficult midterm election season, and some believe that negative results could change Biden's calculations and mind.
While few doubt the president's desire for a second term, some Democrats believe Biden will do it regardless of the doubt of many others in the political party.
Democratic strategist Jim Manley, a former adviser to the late Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, said he fully expects Biden to run again. However, he noted that he would not be surprised if there were not many Democrats observing very carefully in the coming weeks.
Vice President Kamala Harris is seen as the successor if Biden does not run and steps away. However, Manley noted that he does not think "she has a lock on it."
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders were also reported to be possible contenders. But Warren has already said that she will not run if the president plans to run again, which means she and several others are waiting for Biden.
A Democratic source, who bundles campaign contributions, told The Hill that "everything is frozen" now as Democrats focus more on the midterms.
"Senior Democrats aren't so worried about the presidential (race) now. They're looking at the governors' races... but after the midterms, everything will change," the source told the outlet.
Joe Biden Tells Reelection Plans to Barack Obama
Joe Biden has reportedly told former President Barack Obama that he will run for reelection in 2024. One of the two anonymous sources told The Hill last month that Biden "wants to run, and he's clearly letting everyone know."
It was not known when the president told Obama about his plans to run for reelection. But Obama visited the White House last month regarding the Affordable Care Act.
One of the sources noted that Biden remains the most likely Democratic candidate to defeat former President Donald Trump. Another source familiar with the discussions between Biden and Obama said the president thinks he is the "only one who can beat Trump."
The source added that Biden does not think "there's anyone in the Democratic party who can beat Trump, and that's the biggest factor." Biden was the oldest president to take office at 78. He will be 81 in November 2024.
Last September, Biden and his aides reportedly told allies that he planned to run again. Biden also said in December that he would run if he stayed in good health, adding that Harris would be on the ticket again.
One of Biden's lead pollsters in the last presidential election, Celinda Lake, told The Hill that she believes the president when he says he intends to run again.
"He has said he is running, so I think he is," Lake said. A progressive donor and adviser close to several left-wing lawmakers on Capitol Hill echoed a similar thought, saying, "I personally believe he will run."
Donald Trump Beats Joe Biden in Poll
According to a Harvard CAPS-Harris Poll survey released in late March, Donald Trump defeated Joe Biden in a hypothetical 2024 match-up.
The poll revealed that if the 2024 presidential election will be held now, Trump would get 47 percent support compared to 41 percent for Biden. The Hill reported that 12 percent of voters were undecided.
Kamala Harris reportedly performed worse in the hypothetical match-up with Trump. Forty-nine percent chose Trump, while 38 percent said they would support Harris.
However, the survey found Harris leading over Florida Governor Ron DeSantis by a two-point margin. In the hypothetical match-up between DeSantis and the vice president, Harris takes 40 percent support to the Florida governor's 38 percent.
Donald Trump was still the favorite for the 2024 GOP nod, with 59 percent of Republican voters saying they would support him again. Former Vice President Mike Pence and DeSantis are nearly tied in second place with 11 percent and 10 percent support, respectively.
This article is owned by Latin Post.
Written by: Mary Webber
WATCH: ABC Exclusive: Joe Biden on Running for Re-Election - From ABC News
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