New polls show that President Biden is tied or behind several GOP presidential candidates, and voters are deeply concerned about his age. This has heightened Democratic anxiety over third-party candidates stealing a victory in 2024. Democrats have been concerned that a third party candidate in a tight race could make the difference in states like Georgia, Arizona or Wisconsin. But the new polling has exacerbated concerns that a liberal candidate like Cornel west or a centrist candidate such as No Labels, could be a spoiler for Biden. Left-wing groups are also expressing their discontent, saying that only Biden and the Republican nominee will have the chance to win the White House. The Hill reported on Thursday that the 2024 presidential elections are a binary decision between Joe Biden or the MAGA GOP candidate. She aimed her criticism at No Labels. The party has been flooded with attacks in the last few weeks. Epting shared the sentiments of Democrats who believe that No Labels’ efforts are detrimental to the blue victory. The CNN poll released this week has highlighted the Biden problem. According to the survey, an astounding 67 percent (or more) of voters who identify themselves as Democrats or who lean left stated that they would prefer someone else to be the nominee. Many voters also believe that Biden will win the nomination. This puts those who are trying to support an unpopular candidate in a tough position.
Another statistic also indicates a possible issue: Biden’s close competition with the former president Trump, as well as lesser-known candidates such as former South Carolina Governor. Nikki Haley led him by a few points.
Other polls separately show deep dissatisfaction over Biden’s age, with the majority of voters in recent Wall Street Journal and Associated Press/NORC surveys saying he’s too old to seek a second term in office.
The anxiety over third-party campaigns has grown in tandem with Biden’s relatively poor standing.
Democrats were reassured when he didn’t see a prominent primary challenger, but fears that someone without as much name recognition could run as a different party’s option have taken hold as candidates embark on the year leading to the general election.
West, a leftist aligned with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) who has a considerable grassroots following, is now running on the Green Party ticket, a political maneuver some progressives have found more concerning than his previous People’s Party identification.
The Green Party skews to the left of the progressive movement and is most recently remembered for the uproar it caused in 2016 when outsider Jill Stein ran as the party’s choice. The Green Party is a left-leaning party that has been a source of controversy since 2016, when Jill Stein was chosen to represent the party. Although Green Party supporters are in favor of a more complex two-party system than the current one, mainstream Democrats see third-party efforts as a positive for Republicans.
“Historically, third-party candidates have been a boost to Republicans. Michael Starr Hopkins, a Democratic campaign strategist and commentator, said that the same thing could happen this time around. This season, the moderates are upset with West, who is the latest Green Party candidate. Strategists have been working to minimize his candidacy. Many respect his academic contributions but also view him as a problematic figure in a cycle that is already difficult for Biden. While anger is directed at the left, centrists have their own concerns. The No Labels movement has been a source of concern for many moderates, who fear that their own party could be heading in the same direction as the Green Party. “Neither of the three have gained enough traction to be considered threats remotely to President Biden.” No Labels is a conservative group that has the money to run ads. While a No Labels or third-party candidate won’t get to the White House but could be an
exit ramp in a close race, where even a small number of voters can swing the election towards the Republicans,” said Cross. The bipartisan group has a different view. Clancy said in a statement to The Hill that the CNN poll confirms what No Labels has known for some time: Americans don’t want a repeat of the 2020 elections. “There’s growing enthusiasm for another choice who can bridge the partisan divide that is tearing our country apart.”
“If No Labels ultimately offers its ballot line to an independent Unity ticket next year, it will be because we think it has a real path to the White House,” he added.
Skeptical Democrats, however, are still looking at ways to minimize the potential damage. Some Democrats are looking for high-profile surrogates to reduce the interest in other candidates. Progressives want to use Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez (D.N.Y.), to inspire young people and other infrequent voters to support Biden. Moderates are also open to finding someone who can do the same. “I think Joe Biden would win in a race one-on-one against Donald Trump, or any other Republican candidate,” said Jim Kessler from the centrist Democratic organization Third Way. Third Way is fighting third-party candidacies on both sides. But it may not be one-on-one.”
“A possible No Labels campaign will require moderate voices from the middle to do the exact same thing,” Kessler said.
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