As Democrats continue scrambling to form a cohesive front following President Joe Biden's dismal debate performance, a new piece by the Washington Post illustrated part of its avowed or potential supporters' doubt about the current ticket.
After interviews with over a dozen Latinos who gathered at a park to celebrate 4th of July in Las Vegas, the outlet described a notable lack of enthusiasm for the election, also showing broader discontent with the current political landscape.
Latino voters, who make up nearly 20 percent of Nevada's electorate, expressed frustration and disappointment with the presidential candidates. These voters, crucial to President Biden's coalition in 2020, are now showing signs of discontent with his reelection bid. Vice President Kamala Harris, often mentioned as a potential candidate if Biden steps aside, has been active in courting Latino voters, making several visits to Nevada.
Polling data indicates Biden is struggling with the demographic. A recent New York Times-Siena poll showed Biden and former President Donald Trump nearly tied among Hispanic likely voters, a significant drop from Biden's 14-point lead in late June and his 33-point margin in 2020. These figures highlight a key demographic shift that could impact the election outcome.
Despite Harris's efforts to engage young and minority voters, including multiple visits to Latino-heavy cities like Phoenix and Las Vegas, there is skepticism about her ability to energize this crucial voting bloc.
At a general level, voters interviewed by the outlet revealed deep frustration over unmet promises, particularly on issues like immigration and the rising cost of living. This dissatisfaction has led some voters to consider supporting Trump or abstaining from voting altogether.
Some voters, like David Mungia, a 42-year-old hospital worker, expressed disillusionment with the Democratic Party's unfulfilled promises on immigration reform, making him lean toward voting for Trump. Biddy Adams, a 42-year-old in real estate, voiced a preference for Harris over Biden, citing disappointment with Biden's performance. Others, like Isabella Bello, a 21-year-old server and nursing student, were skeptical of Harris's potential to bring change despite her support for having a woman in the White House.
For first-time voter Jason Adams, a 17-year-old high school senior, the lack of appealing candidates is disappointing, though he prefers Harris over Biden due to her younger age. Kimberly Beltran, a 30-year-old customer service representative, echoed this sentiment, noting Harris's relatability over Biden. Meanwhile, Jonathan Smith, a 33-year-old small business owner, expressed complete disillusionment with the electoral process, planning not to vote at all due to unmet political promises.
These sentiments underscore a broader challenge for the Democratic Party in maintaining support among Latino voters, with Biden's debate performance threatening to be a new drag. Overall, nearly 30% of Democrats believe Biden should exit the race, a significantly higher percentage than the 9% of Republicans who think Trump should do the same.
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