Staff Reports
Kamala Harris’s once-celebrated reign seems to be dwindling faster than a snowman in July. A recent New York Times/Siena poll reveals that for the first time since her rise to national prominence in July, former President Donald Trump is leading her in a major national poll, and not by just a hair’s breadth. With Trump favorably at 48% and Harris barely trailing at 47%, it’s clear the honeymoon is officially over, and it might be time for Harris to exchange her pearls for a more realistic view of the political landscape.
Battleground states are shaping up to be a wild rodeo as both candidates are locked in a tight contest. In Arizona, North Carolina, Georgia, and Nevada, they remain deadlocked at 48%. Pennsylvania shows Harris slightly ahead, which is a relief, albeit with just a hair’s difference at 49% to 48%. However, Michigan and Wisconsin are also in the mix, with Trump breathing down her neck. The numbers suggest Harris might need to slide into a mood of urgency, lest her supporters start to think their investment in her candidacy is better suited for a charity fundraiser.
Trump receives pre-debate polling boost in battleground states – Washington Examiner https://t.co/CBde1C7d3w
— Melanie (@MellieMAGA) September 8, 2024
One particularly damning issue for Harris, as the poll indicates, is the fading support from her base among traditional Democrats. Women, young voters, and Latino communities—which could be viewed as her fan club—aren’t showing the enthusiasm that they were expected to bring to her campaign. It’s as if the Democratic party’s version of “Where’s Waldo?” is about finding the enthusiasm among her ranks, which seems to be hiding better than a good book at the Biden Library.
Perhaps this explains why a significant chunk of voters have declared they need to know more about Harris leading into the debates. With 28% wanting clarity on her platform compared to just 9% for Trump, it appears Harris might want to consider opening her campaign’s playbook. If a Knoxville business owner is feeling lost in the haze of progressive jargon, there’s a reasonable chance some voters are ready to throw in the towel or, worse, their ballots.
In an election likely to hinge on perceptions, Harris’s struggle to be seen as a breath of fresh air might be her undoing. A whopping 60% of voters believe the next president should shake things up from the current administration, yet only 25% see Harris embodying that change. By contrast, over half the voters think Trump offers the hope of a new direction. With nearly half of the electorate viewing Harris as “too liberal,” the fight is shaping up as one for the soul of the Democratic Party.
Lastly, despite some claims of enthusiasm among Democrats, with 91% voicing optimism compared to 85% for Republicans rallying around Trump, it raises eyebrows whether that enthusiasm is genuine or simply the sound of a party in denial. Looking at the numbers, Harris might need to strap on some serious political boots if she hopes to turn the tide—before Trump makes her aspirations look more outdated than dial-up internet.
