Kamala Harris Holds Narrow Lead Over Trump in Presidential Poll
In a recent national poll by Reuters/Ipsos, US Vice President Kamala Harris has taken a slight lead over former President Donald Trump in the presidential race. The poll shows Harris with 44% of the vote compared to Trump’s 42%, a difference within the margin of error of 3 percentage points.
Biden Exits Race, Endorses Harris
This development comes after President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the re-election campaign, passing the baton to Harris. Biden, 81, cited various reasons for his decision, notably his performance in a recent debate with Trump where he struggled to effectively counter Trump’s claims. Biden’s endorsement of Harris has significantly influenced her campaign, as she secures the Democratic nomination.
Polling Data and Voter Perceptions
The Reuters/Ipsos poll was conducted on Monday and Tuesday, following key events in both parties. Last Thursday, Trump formally accepted the Republican nomination at the Republican National Convention. Biden’s withdrawal and endorsement of Harris followed on Sunday.
The poll reflects a competitive race, with Harris and Trump previously tied at 44% in a July 15-16 poll and Trump holding a narrow lead by one percentage point in a July 1-2 poll. These fluctuations are all within the poll’s margin of error.
Key Insights into Voter Sentiment
A critical aspect of the poll is voter perception of the candidates’ mental acuity and ability to handle challenges. According to the survey, 56% of registered voters believe Harris, 59, is “mentally sharp and able to deal with challenges.” In contrast, 49% said the same about Trump, 78. President Biden’s performance was less favorable, with only 22% of voters considering him mentally sharp.
Impact of Third-Party Candidates
The poll also explored a hypothetical scenario including independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. In this scenario, Harris’s lead over Trump extends to 42% against Trump’s 38%, with Kennedy receiving support from 8% of voters. Kennedy, however, faces challenges in securing ballot access in many states ahead of the November 5 election.
Kamala Harris’s marginal lead over Donald Trump in the latest poll reflects a closely contested race for the US presidency. With Biden’s exit and endorsement, Harris has gained momentum, but the outcome remains uncertain. As the election approaches, the focus will be on key battleground states and voter perceptions of each candidate’s capability to lead the nation.
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