Staff Reports
In a recent debate, Vice President Kamala Harris received a heap of praise from the media, who dubbed her the reigning champion of the evening. But as is often the case, their proclamations may be a bit disconnected from reality. In fact, post-debate polling suggests that while Harris may have landed a few verbal jabs, former President Donald Trump appears to be gaining traction—especially when it comes to the economy.
During the 90-minute showdown aired on ABC News, Harris threw several well-rehearsed punches at Trump, while he occasionally meandered through his responses, often turning the debate into a three-way contest with the moderators thrown into the mix. As expected, the pundit class swiftly declared Harris the winner. Yet among undecided voters, the reception was far from unanimous. Many of them expressed skepticism about Harris’s ability to convincingly sway their votes, signaling a potential swing back toward Trump.
Polls, panels show Trump holding steady as pundits name Harris the debate victor https://t.co/xdid4aoPvR
— 𝓒𝓸𝓷𝓼𝓮𝓻𝓿𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓿𝓮𝓓𝓲𝓿𝓪™ (@1776Diva) September 11, 2024
Looking at the numbers, a CNN flash poll indicated that while Harris improved her favorability ratings—gaining a 45% favorable rating—Trump maintained a surprisingly robust position. His favorability shifted slightly from 41% to 39%, a number that, despite the mixed verdict of the pundits, shows he is not fading from the scene. However, when it came to the economy—a critical topic for any voter—Trump surged ahead with 55% preferring him to handle the issue, compared to Harris’s meager 35%. That’s a solid bounce from his pre-debate numbers that suggests voters are still banking on his economic acumen.
Adding another twist to the narrative, The New York Times chimed in with a headline pointing out that while pundits were quick to deem Harris the debate’s victor, undecided voters weren’t entirely convinced. Reports emerged that suggested these voters were still feeling more inclined toward Trump, with individual interviews revealing a tilt toward the former president following the debate. If the average citizen isn’t buying the media’s hype, then perhaps there’s more to the story than meets the eye.
Reuters even picked up on this phenomenon, sharing insights that showed out of ten undecided voters interviewed post-debate, six leaned towards Trump, while only three sided with Harris. It’s almost as if voters are tuning out the punditry and looking at the actual issues, with economic management clearly being Trump’s strong suit. A brief look at the aftermath of this debate indicates that Trump’s message is still resonating, especially concerning issues that matter most to everyday Americans.
In a world where the media loves to tell voters what they’re supposed to think, it appears that the reality is more nuanced. The enthusiastic cries of victory from the pundits just might be drowned out by the sound of voters choosing to back a candidate who understands their economic concerns. If this debate showcased anything, it is that the Trump train isn’t stopping just yet; it may, in fact, be gaining steam.
