The political landscape is showing some interesting shifts, with Vice President Kamala Harris leading Donald Trump in recent polls. Two separate surveys, conducted by NBC News and CBS/YouGov, have revealed that Harris holds a lead over Trump in a potential head-to-head matchup for the 2024 presidential election.
The NBC News poll, conducted from September 13-17, showed Harris ahead by five points (49% to 44%). This marks a significant change from July’s poll, which found Trump ahead by two points when President Joe Biden was still in the race. Harris has particularly strong support among Black voters (85% to 7%), younger voters (57% to 34%), and college-educated voters (59% to 38%). She also holds a slight advantage among independent voters (43% to 35%).
Trump, on the other hand, maintains support among men (52% to 40%), white voters (52% to 43%), and white voters without college degrees (61% to 33%). The pollsters attributed Trump’s declining support to some Republicans, who aren’t his most fervent supporters, backing away. However, they cautioned that this trend could change, as history has shown these voters tend to return to Republican candidates in the end.
The CBS/YouGov poll, conducted between September 18-20, mirrored the NBC News findings, showing Harris leading by a slightly smaller margin (52% to 48%). Interestingly, Harris performed better among voters who view the economy and their personal finances positively, with 88% and 64% of these groups, respectively, supporting her.
While Harris holds a lead in these polls, the economic landscape remains a crucial factor for voters. The CBS News/YouGov survey found that among those who consider the economy a major concern, Trump leads Harris by a 47% to 53% margin. This suggests that economic anxieties could potentially benefit Trump in the long run.
The NBC News poll also highlights the economic concerns of voters, with two-thirds of respondents stating their family income is not keeping pace with rising living costs. The poll found that the cost of living is the top concern for voters, giving Trump an edge on issues related to the economy and inflation.
However, it’s worth noting that Trump’s advantage in this area has decreased compared to when he was pitted against Biden in July. The recent decrease in inflation and the Federal Reserve’s interest rate reduction could potentially ease some economic anxieties among consumers.
The upcoming presidential election is sure to be a closely watched contest, and these recent polls provide a glimpse into the evolving political landscape. While Harris holds the current lead, economic concerns could play a significant role in determining the outcome of the election.
