Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance is facing an uphill battle in the polls, trailing behind his Democratic opponent, Gov. Tim Walz, in favorability ratings. According to a recent poll by USA Today and Suffolk University, 36% of likely voters view Vance favorably, compared to 48% for Walz. The survey, conducted after the Democratic National Convention, also revealed that Vance is viewed unfavorably by 47% of independents, while only 36% hold an unfavorable view of Walz.
This disparity in favorability ratings highlights the challenges Vance faces as he seeks to convince voters of his qualifications. The poll was conducted from August 25-28 with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.
The poll’s findings come amidst a significant media blitz by the Trump campaign. In an effort to counter the perceived lack of transparency from the Democratic ticket, Trump and Vance have actively participated in interviews with various media outlets, including those considered hostile to the Trump campaign. Since Harris announced Walz as her running mate, Trump has engaged in at least 38 interviews, appearing on outlets such as Fox News, NBC News, the Daily Mail, and even Elon Musk’s platform. Vance, who has criticized Harris for avoiding the press, has also made numerous media appearances, appearing on outlets like CNN, Fox News, and NBC News.
In contrast, Harris and Walz have faced criticism for their limited media exposure. They have only participated in one joint interview since becoming the Democratic nominees, a pre-recorded interview with CNN’s Dana Bash.
The increased media presence of the Trump campaign underscores its strategy to gain a foothold in the information landscape and counter the narrative surrounding the Democratic ticket. It remains to be seen whether this aggressive media outreach will be enough to bridge the gap in favorability ratings and sway voters in Vance’s favor.
