CNN focus group rejects Biden

A CNN focus group comprised of Democratic voters has rejected former Vice President Joe BidenJoseph (Joe) Robinette Biden Trump predicts Dem investigation will drive him to 2020 win Trump hits O'Rourke: 'Boy has he fallen like a rock' Trump mocks Buttigieg: 'He has a great chance' MORE as their presidential nominee.

The focus group's dismissal of Biden is notable since the former vice president, who is expected to join the Democratic primary soon, has been leading a number of public opinion polls and is seen as the potential front-runner.

The Democrats gathered by CNN, however, said they weren't interested in Biden. Some said they wanted a candidate who was further to the left.

“I think we need a bold, strong leadership, and you’ll find that in the progressives," Democratic voter Carol Evans said.

“We had the standard-bearer for the kind of pragmatic centrist candidate in Hillary ClintonHillary Diane Rodham Clinton 2020 Democrats show off labor cred at union event Cracks appear in Trump's coalition Biggest blow to Clinton came from Midwest Obama voters who backed Trump, says progressive strategist MORE in 2016 and Donald TrumpDonald John Trump McMaster accuses some in White House of being a 'danger to the Constitution' Trump predicts Dem investigation will drive him to 2020 win Trump hits O'Rourke: 'Boy has he fallen like a rock' MORE is now president. He is not your average political candidate, so we really need to try to think outside the box because, you know, it seems like the dude is made of rubber. Anything you throw at him just bounces off, there’s nothing that sticks," said focus group member Michael Milisits.

Several progressives, including Sens. Bernie SandersBernard (Bernie) Sanders Sanders, Ocasio-Cortez to unveil legislation targeting credit card, banking industries Trump predicts Dem investigation will drive him to 2020 win Trump hits O'Rourke: 'Boy has he fallen like a rock' MORE (I-Vt.) and Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth Ann Warren Trump hits O'Rourke: 'Boy has he fallen like a rock' Overnight Health Care: HHS issues rule requiring drug prices in TV ads | Grassley, Wyden working on plan to cap drug costs in Medicare | Warren to donate money from family behind opioid giant Hillicon Valley: Regulators press Congress on privacy bill | Americans mimic Russian disinformation tactics ahead of 2020 | Ocasio-Cortez, Sanders back Uber strike | GOP senator targets 'manipulative' video games MORE (D-Mass.), have entered the race.

The focus group was moderated by "New Day" co-anchor Alisyn Camerota at CNN's New York City bureau.

When she asked if any of the focus group members would like Biden to enter the race, none of the six people raised their hands.

Alisyn Camerota asked a panel of six Democrats, "How many of you would like to see Joe Biden get in? Show of hands."

No one raised their hands.

"His time is done," said one panelist. https://t.co/WlCE8xj0mJ pic.twitter.com/e55IFCYF8b
— New Day (@NewDay) March 5, 2019

“His time is done," Evans said.

“I will be honest. He was riding the Obama wave and I thought he was a person that would unite the party, but to be honest, Sen. Biden really comes from kind of the good old boy politics of the past," Democrat Russel Banks said.

“I don’t think Joe Biden represents that new thing that we need. We need a new economy, we need new politics and we need someone different," Democrat Owen Evans added.

Biden currently leads most early polls over the other 13 declared candidates in the field, with political pollsters citing name recognition as the primary reason due to his long tenure in the Senate and eight years as President Obama's vice president.

CNN has made the 2020 campaign one of its top priorities and has already featured several candidates in prime-time town hall events, including Sens. Kamala HarrisKamala Devi Harris Hillicon Valley: Regulators press Congress on privacy bill | Americans mimic Russian disinformation tactics ahead of 2020 | Ocasio-Cortez, Sanders back Uber strike | GOP senator targets 'manipulative' video games Almost 30 percent of Biden supporters pick Sanders as second choice DNC faces new debate minefield MORE (D-Calif.), Amy KlobucharAmy Jean Klobuchar 2020 Democrats show off labor cred at union event Hillicon Valley: Regulators press Congress on privacy bill | Americans mimic Russian disinformation tactics ahead of 2020 | Ocasio-Cortez, Sanders back Uber strike | GOP senator targets 'manipulative' video games Klobuchar pressures Barr, Mueller for more information on special counsel's findings MORE (D-Minn.) and Sanders, as well as former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, who is considering an independent run for president.