Amber Phillips
Updated on: October 11, 2024 2:01 am GMT
A newly released poll following the recent presidential debate indicates that Vice President Kamala Harris is gaining traction against former President Donald Trump, leading by four percentage points in a hypothetical match-up. The debate, which took place on September 10, was notably Harris’s first as the Democratic nominee, succeeding President Joe Biden after his less-than-stellar performance in a June debate.
Poll Findings: Harris vs. Trump
The Data for Progress survey shows Vice President Harris receiving 50% of voter support compared to Trump’s 46%, with 4% still undecided. This marks a slight improvement for Harris, whose pre-debate lead was only three points. The poll emphasizes that voters are increasingly perceiving Harris as the “candidate of the future,” attributing qualities such as honesty, intelligence, and composure to her, in contrast to Trump.
Among likely voters, 56% concluded that Harris won the debate, while 37% believed Trump came out on top. This positive reception is critical for Harris as she seeks to consolidate support during the final stretch of the election campaign.
Debate Highlights and Voter Reactions
The debate garnered attention from various segments of the audience, with 50% stating they watched it live, and an additional 29% engaged through clips. The overwhelming focus of Harris’s arguments revolved around protecting abortion rights, with 66% of voters indicating they heard her discussing this topic extensively. Other issues she emphasized included middle-class support and defending democracy.
One of the standout moments of the debate came from Trump’s controversial remark suggesting that immigrants are eating people’s pets. This statement resonated heavily with viewers, as 52% reported having heard “a lot” about it. The majority of voters, including 91% of Democrats, 77% of Independents, and 69% of Republicans, deemed Trump’s comment as inappropriate and “weird.”
Voter Perceptions of Candidates
The poll also surveyed beliefs regarding the integrity of past elections. A notable 57% of respondents affirmed that the 2020 Presidential Election was fairly won by Biden, with only 35% supporting Trump’s claims of a stolen victory. Additionally, Harris accused Trump of wanting to be a dictator from the outset. Here, 51% of voters, including half of Independents, concurred with her assessment.
While both candidates have specific advantages, Harris demonstrated a four-point net favorability among likely voters, whereas Trump saw a -8 point net favorability, reflecting a notable shift in public sentiment post-debate. Harris’s vice presidential pick, Tim Walz, similarly enjoys a net favorability of +5 points.
The Remaining Race
As the election approaches its final fifty days, the dynamics between Harris and Trump indicate a competitive landscape. The Data for Progress survey illustrates that despite Harris’s current lead, significant barriers remain. Voters have expressed favorable opinions regarding her intelligence and commitment to working-class issues, but she must clearly articulate her policy agenda, which previous surveys have shown to be popular among voters.
Despite Harris’s advantages in some areas, inquiries into who is perceived as the stronger candidate reveal a close contest, with respondents nearly evenly split in their views.
Closing Sentiments
As the election gets closer, the latest data shows that Harris has gained some support after the debate. However, both she and Trump will have a tough road ahead. Polls show that how many people vote and what they think will play a big role in deciding who wins. This survey shows that Harris has some strong moments, and public opinion might keep changing as the campaign goes on. In the coming weeks, both candidates will probably work hard to connect with voters and make their messages clear.
