Harris leads Trump overall but not on handling of the economy: POLL (Page 7 ) | August 19, 2024

Annonce:

Looking ahead

Some potential voters may be persuadable in the campaign ahead. Among people who don’t currently support Trump, 12% say they’d consider voting for him. Among those who don’t now support Harris, an almost equal number, 11%, say they’d consider her.

The question is how the candidates attract new supporters while keeping their bases motivated. Appeals on ideological lines seem thin: While 46% see Harris as too liberal, as Trump consistently charges, almost as many, 42%, see him as too conservative.

Another challenging line is Trump’s contention that the Democratic Party encouraged the sentiment that led to an attempt on his life. Instead, more Americans blame the Republican Party for the risk of politically motivated violence in this country, 37%, than blame the Democrats, 26%; an additional 25% blame both equally.

Best for Trump is his advantage on the economy and Harris’ association with Biden, who labors under a 37%-55% job approval rating, essentially steady the past 15 months. Indeed, Harris’ own rating for handling her job as vice president is just 39%-49%. But Trump’s retrospective rating also is underwater, 44%-49%. And at this stage, at least, Harris possesses one potentially crucial election commodity: momentum.