Recent polls from NBC News and CBS News indicate that U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris is gaining traction against former President Donald Trump as the race for the presidency intensifies. According to an NBC News poll released on Sunday, Harris leads Trump by 5 percentage points among registered voters, with 48% expressing a positive view of her compared to 40% for Trump.
The NBC poll, conducted between September 13-17, surveyed 1,000 registered voters and revealed a notable shift in public perception of Harris since she became the Democratic presidential nominee. The proportion of respondents who viewed Harris positively surged from 32% in July to 48%, marking the most significant increase in favorability among politicians since President George W. Bush’s ratings rose following the September 11 attacks in 2001.
In contrast, Trump’s favorability improved slightly, rising from 38% in July to 40%. The margin of error for the NBC poll is 3 percentage points, highlighting the competitive nature of the race.
A separate CBS News poll corroborated the findings of NBC, showing Harris leading Trump by 4 percentage points among likely voters, with 52% supporting Harris and 48% for Trump. This poll surveyed 3,129 registered voters between September 18-20, with a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points. Harris’s slight bump in support followed her performance in a debate on September 10, combined with improving economic indicators that appear to be resonating with voters.
The polls signal a close contest as the November 5 election approaches. National surveys are critical for understanding voter sentiment, but the ultimate outcome will depend on state-by-state results in the Electoral College, particularly in key battleground states that could tip the balance.
Trump, now making his third consecutive run for the presidency after losing to Joe Biden in 2020, continues to assert, without evidence, that his defeat was the result of widespread voter fraud. He currently faces various federal and state criminal charges related to his efforts to overturn the election results.
On the other hand, Harris, a former U.S. senator and prosecutor, is positioned to potentially become the first woman to serve as president in the country’s history if elected.
Amy Walter, publisher and editor-in-chief of the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, noted, “She’s been able to change this from a race that was a referendum on Joe Biden to a race that is a referendum on Donald Trump.” This shift in focus may be beneficial for Harris as she seeks to solidify her base and attract undecided voters.
The recent polls suggest a competitive dynamic heading into the final weeks of the campaign. While Harris’s rising favorability indicates a strengthening support base, Trump’s enduring presence as a significant contender ensures that the race remains tightly contested. Voter sentiment, especially regarding economic conditions and perceptions of each candidate’s performance, will likely play a pivotal role in determining the election outcome.
As both candidates ramp up their campaigning efforts, the focus will now shift to key issues and how each can best address the concerns of voters. The next steps in this election cycle will be critical in shaping the narrative leading up to November and beyond.
