Fifty-nine percent of all likely voters and, somewhat surprisingly, 49 percent of Democrats, say the 77-year-old Biden probably isn't up to running the country for four years, according to the Rasmussen Reports poll released on Monday.
Comment: If there's any Democratic voter that feels that way, they should absolutely not vote for him.
Less surprising, 73 percent percent of Republicans and 57 percent of independents agreed that it's likely Biden's running mate would become president sometime during his term.
The poll marks a startling revelation as the election draws near, given how infrequently such an event has occurred in US history. A US president hasn't been replaced during his term since Richard Nixon resigned in 1974. Before that, a president hadn't been replaced since John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963. Apart from assassination, a president hasn't been physically unable to finish a term since Franklin D. Roosevelt died in 1945.
Rasmussen's findings also show how high the stakes will be when Biden chooses his running mate - a decision he has reportedly already made and is expected to announce this week. Biden has pledged that he will choose a woman for the job, and he faces pressure from within the Democrat party to pick a black woman.
The poll also shows that mainstream media's concerted efforts to dismiss concerns over Biden's mental and physical fitness for the job have been unconvincing to many Americans.
In an opinion piece published Monday, CNN's Dean Obeidallah argued that a video of Biden riding a bike on Saturday "utterly devastated" allegations by President Donald Trump that Biden lacked the stamina and mental capacity needed for the job. Biden has fueled speculation about his deteriorating cognitive abilities by making a series of gaffes on the campaign trail.
Rasmussen didn't ask likely voters what sort of event they expect to necessitate replacing Biden as president. Thirty-nine percent of poll respondents said it's "very likely" that Biden wouldn't finish his term. Only 14 percent said it's "not at all likely."
Reader Comments
The weary acceptance of dysfunctionality is spreading, even among the Republican ranks, and it presages a collapse. I'm reminded of the late-stage cynicism in the Soviet Union. which was articulated in the saying: "We pretend to work and they pretend to pay us." The modern American version is, "We pretend to elect leaders, and they pretend to represent us."
R.C.
That's all it said, and not necessarily expresses my opinion...
R.C.
Coincidentally, whilst reading your post I heard the tv presenter speak about the crocodile God of ancient Egypt, Sobek.
So much for the power of suggestion. Now every time I hear the word ‘crocodile’ I think of his picture. This time I thought of you.
All love. RC
I helped design a staircase once. A friend advised me not to choose an elaborate design that was difficult to dust. After that, every time I dusted that staircase I thought of her.
From this I learn a valuable life lesson; never underestimate the power of suggestion.
The eyes have it?
And reading this thread, I fear R.C. wants to replace him ...
However, our SOTT RC creates conversation. He is often first to post a comment. He reminds me of the least bashful man most likely to hit the dance floor to liven up the party. I like that.
But to be honest, I am more of an individualist free-minded type, and could not tolerate such a "domination across the entire board" either. That would end fatal for one ...