Following President Biden’s dismal debate performance, Republicans have made gains in six states that include typical safe havens for Democrats, according to an analysis by the Cook Political Report released Tuesday.
Post-debate polls showed Minnesota, New Hampshire and Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District changing from “Democrat-leaning” to “Democrat-leaning.”
According to the analysis, the battleground states of Nevada, Arizona, and Georgia also changed from “close” to “Republican-advantaged.”
“Biden was losing before the debate, and now he’s losing by a little more,” Cook editor-in-chief Amy Walter said. I have written.
The worrisome outcome for Democrats comes as Biden faces intense scrutiny over whether he will be able to serve a full second term after repeatedly stumbling and losing his words during the June 27 debate.
There are growing calls among Democrats, including seven members of the House of Representatives, for Trump to drop out of the race, saying they believe a younger alternative to Trump could defeat him and lead the country effectively.
Biden’s post-debate interview with ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos did little to calm skeptics.
The commander in chief has denied concerns about his mental and physical fitness, insisting he is the best and most qualified candidate and has vowed to continue campaigning.
Cook said limited polling data since the debate suggests support for Biden appears to have shifted about 2 percentage points in Trump’s favor.
“Given the close margin of the electoral vote, even a two-point change could mean a lot,” Walter wrote.
Cook’s latest election forecast keeps three key battleground states — Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin — in the “close” category, and Walter said Trump will do well in Pennsylvania.
She said Biden’s biggest challenge is a lack of enthusiasm among voters.
“The Biden campaign argues that these voters may not be interested now, but that they will eventually vote for the president once they realize how important this election is,” Walter wrote. “But Biden’s weak performance in the debates raises the question of whether he can effectively get that message across to already disenfranchised and skeptical voters.”
