Vice President Kamala Harris is facing troubling polling numbers as she inches closer to the 2024 election. Recent surveys indicate that her once tenuous lead over former President Donald Trump has evaporated, with Trump now gaining momentum in multiple national polls. According to a Harvard-Harris poll, Trump has overtaken Harris by a narrow margin of 47% to 46%.
These polling shifts come after months of growing discontent with the Biden administration's handling of key issues such as inflation, immigration, and crime. As a result, Harris, the presumptive Democratic nominee following President Biden’s departure from the race, has struggled to solidify her position. A RealClearPolitics average shows her national lead slipping from 1.9 points just two weeks ago to a mere 1.3 points.
I don’t care if you don’t like Trump. Go in that poll booth & hold your nose & vote for him.. This shit has to stop. America cannot fall to the pedophiles & illegal immigrants. Under Kamala & Walz, they’ll gift wrap it for them & hand it right over.
pic.twitter.com/WYeRntBQgx— Jay’V (@JayVTheGreat) August 9, 2024
This is a critical shift in a race where polling differences of even one or two points can make all the difference in battleground states.
The New York Times/Siena poll further illustrates Harris's decline, showing Trump with a one-point lead, 48% to 47%.
CBS POLL: President Trump has a big lead over Kamala Harris among swing-state voters "who say the economy and inflation are major issues" pic.twitter.com/RsgoYGog8r
— Mariana (@texas_walnut) September 8, 2024
Trump, who has faced a barrage of legal challenges and media scrutiny, appears to be gaining ground despite these controversies. His campaign, which has been more disciplined and focused than previous runs, seems to be resonating with voters fed up with the status quo. According to another McLaughlin & Associates poll, Trump leads Harris by two points, 49% to 47%.
These results have alarmed Democratic strategists, especially as Harris struggles to define her policy platform. Critics argue that Harris’s campaign lacks substance and focus, with many accusing her of hiding from the media. Despite being the Vice President for nearly four years, Harris has failed to articulate clear policy positions, which is increasingly hurting her with key voting demographics.
Trump, on the other hand, has seen gains among key minority groups. He is currently polling at 14% with Black voters and 41% with Hispanic voters, numbers that far exceed his previous performances.
This shift, coupled with Harris's inability to effectively engage with voters, could spell trouble for the Democratic ticket in states like Florida, Arizona, and Georgia, where minority votes are crucial.
Adding to the concern is Harris's performance in swing states. Polling averages show her losing ground, with her narrow lead of 0.5 points in these crucial states now reduced to just 0.1 points.
Given that Trump has historically outperformed poll expectations in the final weeks of his campaigns, these numbers suggest that Harris may face an uphill battle as November approaches.
