A new poll has found that nearly 60% of Democrats and almost 50% of Republicans would prefer a different candidate as their party's presidential nominee in 2024. The Washington Post-ABC News survey, released ahead of Joe Biden's State of the Union address, indicated that 62% of Americans would be dissatisfied or angry if Mr Biden were re-elected, while 56% said the same about Donald Trump returning to office.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg dismissed concerns about generational change, telling CNN that "the most powerful argument of all is results". He pointed to the creation of 12 million jobs under President Biden, including manufacturing roles in rural areas and small towns across states such as Tennessee, Louisiana, Georgia and Indiana. Mr Buttigieg, who ran for president in 2020, said the administration's achievements had come "under the toughest of circumstances".
The poll also showed a hypothetical 2024 rematch between Mr Biden and Mr Trump would be extremely close, with Mr Biden leading 48% to 45%, a gap within the margin of error. Mr Trump remains the only declared candidate for the Republican nomination, while Mr Biden has said he intends to run but has not formally announced his candidacy.
Mr Biden, already the oldest person to be inaugurated as president, would be 82 at the start of a second term and 86 at its conclusion. Mr Trump would be 77 if he returned to the White House. This week, Ron Klain, Mr Biden's former chief of staff, hinted strongly at another run, telling the president: "As I did in 1988, 2008 and 2020, I look forward to being on your side when you run for president in 2024."
