In a surprising twist in the 2024 US presidential race, Vice President Kamala Harris is gaining momentum against former President Donald Trump, particularly in areas where Trump has traditionally held a strong lead. According to a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted from August 23-25, Harris is closing the gap on key issues like the economy and crime, signaling a shift in voter sentiment just months before the November election.
Trump’s advantage on economic and employment issues, once a solid pillar of his campaign, has dwindled. The poll shows 43% of registered voters prefer Trump’s approach to the economy, while 40% favor Harris— a margin well within the poll’s 4-point error range. This marks a significant shift from a similar poll in July, where Trump led Harris by 11 points on economic matters.
On the issue of crime and corruption, the two candidates are now neck-and-neck, each garnering 40% support from registered voters. This is a notable change from the previous month when Trump held a 5-point lead in this area. Harris’s steady climb in these traditionally Trump-leaning domains indicates her campaign is resonating with voters concerned about these critical issues.
While Trump’s rhetoric continues to focus on the economy, frequently criticizing the Biden administration’s handling of inflation, Harris has taken a different approach, promising to tackle price gouging and stabilize household costs. This strategy appears to be working, as voter concerns about economic issues remain high, with 26% of those polled identifying the economy as their top priority.
Yet, it’s not just her policy positions that are propelling Harris forward. She recently received an unexpected boost from a group of prominent former Republican staffers, who have endorsed her candidacy over Trump, reported the New Republic. This coalition, consisting of hundreds of staffers from the George W Bush administration, as well as aides to the late Senator John McCain and Senator Mitt Romney, penned a letter declaring Trump’s leadership “untenable.”
The letter, signed by 238 individuals—nearly 100 more than a similar letter in 2020 — expressed their deep concerns over another Trump presidency. They warned that Trump’s leadership would weaken American institutions and harm everyday people, both domestically and internationally. The endorsement highlights a growing divide within the Republican Party, as many traditional conservatives feel increasingly alienated by Trump’s influence and the extreme factions he has empowered.
Trump’s advantage on economic and employment issues, once a solid pillar of his campaign, has dwindled. The poll shows 43% of registered voters prefer Trump’s approach to the economy, while 40% favor Harris— a margin well within the poll’s 4-point error range. This marks a significant shift from a similar poll in July, where Trump led Harris by 11 points on economic matters.
On the issue of crime and corruption, the two candidates are now neck-and-neck, each garnering 40% support from registered voters. This is a notable change from the previous month when Trump held a 5-point lead in this area. Harris’s steady climb in these traditionally Trump-leaning domains indicates her campaign is resonating with voters concerned about these critical issues.
While Trump’s rhetoric continues to focus on the economy, frequently criticizing the Biden administration’s handling of inflation, Harris has taken a different approach, promising to tackle price gouging and stabilize household costs. This strategy appears to be working, as voter concerns about economic issues remain high, with 26% of those polled identifying the economy as their top priority.
Yet, it’s not just her policy positions that are propelling Harris forward. She recently received an unexpected boost from a group of prominent former Republican staffers, who have endorsed her candidacy over Trump, reported the New Republic. This coalition, consisting of hundreds of staffers from the George W Bush administration, as well as aides to the late Senator John McCain and Senator Mitt Romney, penned a letter declaring Trump’s leadership “untenable.”
The letter, signed by 238 individuals—nearly 100 more than a similar letter in 2020 — expressed their deep concerns over another Trump presidency. They warned that Trump’s leadership would weaken American institutions and harm everyday people, both domestically and internationally. The endorsement highlights a growing divide within the Republican Party, as many traditional conservatives feel increasingly alienated by Trump’s influence and the extreme factions he has empowered.
Source : Times of India
