In the first 24 - 48 hrs after the debate I thought it was media/donor contrivance but after talking with family and friends it does seem like a genuine concern by people. And it’s not a sign of support for Trump.
I'd be shocked if data came back showing a new desire for Biden to step down is a top down phenomenon. Every relatively normal (non political junkie) Dem I talk to, every one, thinks the debate showed Biden needs to step aside. NY Times coverage is annoying, but the debate created this.
It's not necessarily a personal opposition to Biden either. It's fear--that *other voters* will turn against Biden and elect Trump. That's what the "age issue" has always been based on, fear.
Voters have been yelling at us through the polls for months that they don’t think Biden can do this. Some of this was due to dishonest Republican messaging, but in the end, it is what it is and it’s clear there is some truth to it. We ignore the mass of voters at our peril.
I do think it's a genuine concern. I also think that genuine concern was created/manipulated by media coverage. A ton of the people who have the concern did not actually watch the debate.
I agree with this 100%, as I have multiple coworkers who will absolutely vote for Biden, but who don’t want him to be the nominee. Still I think it is unclear how costly this will be to Biden, IF the entire body of elected dems lines up behind him.
(Fixed typo from earlier version.)
