Joe Biden has been hit with a devastating opinion poll blow as Democrat voters turn against the 46th President.
Biden, 81, appears to have lost much of his party base’s support after locking horns with White House predecessor Donald Trump last week.
A Suffolk University poll revealed 41 per cent of Democrat voters want Biden to drop out of the race before November 5.
However, 51 per cent want Biden to remain on the ticket to take on Trump.
Joe Biden hit by devastating new poll with Democratic candidacy now at riskREUTERSThe figure soars among key independent voters, with 64 per cent wanting a new Democratic Party nominee.
The survey also revealed just 28 per cent of Biden supporters believed he won the debate in Atlanta on CNN.
However, the real problem emerges when independents were asked who they were more likely to vote for following the debate.
A staggering 26 per cent of independent voters leaned towards Trump, with 17 per cent likely to support a third-party candidate.
David Paleologos, director of the Suffolk Political Research Center, said: “There’s no question the debate sent out shockwaves across the political landscape.”
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Joe Biden performed poorly in his live CNN debate with Donald TrumpReutersHe added: “Democrats in the poll are offering tough love to President Biden by saying to him, ‘You’ve served us well, but try to see yourself last Thursday night through our eyes. Hold your head up high, it’s time to go.”
Following his debate, Biden admitted: “I wasn’t very smart. I decided to travel around the world a couple times, going through around 100 time zones … before … the debate.
“Didn’t listen to my staff and came back and nearly fell asleep on stage. That’s no excuse but it is an explanation.”
Biden appeared defiant following the disastrous debate, telling supporters: “I intend to win this election. When you get knocked down, you get back up.”
Biden
PAVice President Kamala Harris, California Governor Gavin Newsom and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer have been shortlisted as potential replacements.
However, a number of leading Democrats, including Barack Obama voice have voiced support for Biden.
Lloyd Doggett became the first sitting Democrat to publicly call for Biden to quit.
He said: “My decision to make these strong reservations public is not done lightly nor does it in any way diminish my respect for all that President Biden has achieved.”