Title: Trump and Harris in a Close Race as Kennedy’s Exit Impacts the Polling Landscape
Introduction:
Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are locked in a tight race, as recent post-Democratic National Convention polling reveals. The exit of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. from the race has slightly benefited the Republican candidate. This article analyzes the latest survey results, delves into the impact of Kennedy’s departure, and examines the approval ratings of both Trump and Harris.
Neck-and-Neck Race between Trump and Harris:
According to an Echelon Insights survey, Trump holds a narrow advantage over Harris in a one-on-one matchup, with a 49% to 48% lead. However, when third-party candidates are included, Harris emerges as the winner with 47% to Trump’s 45%. Kennedy, who recently suspended his campaign and endorsed Trump, secured 4% support. Green Party candidate Jill Stein and Libertarian Chase Oliver each garnered 1% of the vote. The exact number for Independent Cornel West was not provided.
Impact of Kennedy’s Exit:
When Kennedy is removed from the equation, Trump gains approximately three percentage points, bringing the race to a tie at 48% each. Trump’s allies hope that Kennedy’s decision to suspend his campaign, along with his withdrawal from the ballot in competitive states, will give the former president a much-needed boost. However, Kennedy plans to remain on the ballot in less competitive states.
Public Perception of the Biden-Harris Administration:
The survey results highlight the polarization in the country, with 52% of respondents considering the “Biden-Harris administration” mostly or totally a failure. In contrast, 45% viewed it as mostly or totally a success. When specifically asked about the “Biden administration,” respondents were slightly more positive, with 52% labeling it as mostly or totally a failure and 46% deeming it mostly or totally a success.
Approval Ratings:
Regarding job performance, 50% of voters either strongly or somewhat approved of Trump as president, while 49% disapproved. Harris received a 50% approval rating for her job performance as vice president, with 48% expressing disapproval. Notably, Harris’ job performance ratings improved after she replaced President Biden at the top of the Democratic ticket. Biden’s approval rating stood at 43% approval and 55% disapproval.
Voter Motivation and Election Outlook:
A significant 89% of voters expressed high motivation to cast their votes in the upcoming election. Only 4% reported low motivation. These figures indicate a high level of engagement among voters.
Conclusion:
The race between Trump and Harris remains extremely close, with both candidates garnering significant support. Kennedy’s exit from the race has had a marginal impact, favoring Trump and leading to a tie when Kennedy is excluded. The approval ratings of Trump, Harris, and Biden demonstrate the divided opinions among the electorate. With high voter motivation, the upcoming election promises to be a closely contested affair.
