An unexpected political turn was shed light upon by a recent poll carried out by Atlas Intel, illustrating an unfavorable position for Kamala Harris pertaining to the 2028 Democratic presidential primary. The poll depicted former South Bend Mayor and ex-Transportation secretary under the Biden administration, Pete Buttigieg, in a striking lead compared to his potential contenders. According to 31.5% of the Democrats who participated in the survey, Buttigieg would be their preferred presidential candidate in the coming years.
This political shift sparks intrigue as it contradicts the results of other studies that were carried out during May by companies such as Echelon Insights and McLaughlin & Associates. In these polls, Harris has led the race, presenting the latest findings by Atlas Intel as an outlier, further adding to Harris’ dwindling appeal. Placed at the third position in terms of favorability among Democrats in the Atlas Intel’s poll, Harris trails behind Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the U.S. Representative from New York.
Democrats displayed a clear division in their preferences, with just 16.6% of them stating they’d choose Harris, while 19.4% expressed their intention to vote for Ocasio-Cortez. This stark division seemingly demotes the impression of the Democratic party’s unity and raises doubts over Harris’ odds in her potential candidacy. Yet, none of the top three Democratic choices have declared their intentions regarding a presidency run, adding more uncertainty to this political scenario.
Further rubbing salt in the wound for Democrats, Harris has been reportedly mulling over a gubernatorial run in California as an alternative to going after the highest office in the land once again. However, this CBS News report only amplifies questions around her suitability and commitment to the presidency, suggesting a wavering decision-making process and lack of long-term planning.
The fourth most favored Democrat choice, according to the poll, was U.S Senator Cory Booker from New Jersey, with a mere 10.4% respondents supporting his potential candidacy. This stat paints a grim picture of the Democrats’ chances, demonstrating a lack of strong consensus backing any one candidate. Consequently, it’s unlikely Harris would feel threatened by Booker’s relatively ineffective drawing power.
A rather modest 7.1% of the respondents promoted California Governor Gavin Newsom for a presidential run. This puts Newsom behind Booker, signaling a further downward trajectory of well-recognized left-wing politicians. The political landscape appears to be unsettled and obscure among Democrat supporters, which does no favors to the likes of Harris and her potential Democratic contenders.
Following Newsom, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro could only manage to persuade 4.8% of the Democrats polled to consider him as a presidential candidate. This disconcertingly low figure underscores the uncertainty among Democrats, raising queries whether a clear frontrunner will emerge, or will the party continue its path of fragmentation and ambiguity.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer was perceived as the last viable option, with a token 3.7% expressing their support for her potential presidential bid. The substantial drop in her popularity indicates the increasing dissatisfaction and disillusionment among the Democratic faction, further foreshadowing the troubles the party could experience in the upcoming election.
To make matters worse for the Democrats, a significant 3.6% of the survey respondents preferred ‘none of the above’, reflecting an even broader discontent with their options. This faction displays a lack of faith in the current pool of potentials and implies an urgent need for an appealing and unifying candidate within the party – a role which Harris eminently fails to embody.
The final blow for Harris and her Democratic colleagues came in the form of a mere 1.4% support for U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock from Georgia. This lack of backing for even a potentially dynamic new face in the race illustrates the extent of disarray in the party and reveals a worrying trend for its future course.
The Atlas Intel poll was conducted over a period of six days from May 21 to May 27, involving a sample of 3,469 adults across the United States. The poll’s results came with a margin of error of +/- 2.2%, a standard deviation within political polling. While this margin underscores the accuracy of the poll, it also amplifies the echoing question – why is Harris losing her grip on this key Democratic demographic?
The results of this poll imply that Democrats are in a state of confusion and dissatisfaction – two elements that are likely to affect their ability to present a formidable candidate to compete in the 2028 presidential race. Without a firm, popular front-runner, the party seems destined to continue its spiral into uncertainty. And with Harris’s already lukewarm popularity, her standing as a potential candidate doesn’t seem promising.
It’s clear that the lack of a common favorite within the party is a direct result of the hold that the likes of Biden and Harris had. Their lackluster performance in their respective positions has caused disarray among the Democrat voters, making it difficult for them to rally behind a single candidate, only adding to the disunity and confusion.
While Harris’s chances in the 2028 presidential primary appear to be bleak, it is a reflection of the broader issue within the party. The Democratic Party’s struggle to find a unifying figurehead who can reinvigorate their base reflects their faltering faith in their current leaders, including Biden and Harris.
The Atlas Intel’s findings shed light on the diminishing popularity of Harris while simultaneously highlighting the internal struggle within the Democratic party. With the widespread division amongst its loyalists and the lack of a clear leader, Democrats seem to be heading into an uncertain future.
In conclusion, the prospects for Democrats, including Harris, appear grim. The lack of a single, strong potential candidate speaks volumes about the party’s uncertain state and a seemingly growing disillusionment with figures like Biden and Harris.