Vice President Kamala Harris is experiencing a surge in favorability among Americans, with 48% now having a favorable view of her, up from 39% earlier in the summer. This increase is also higher than President Joe Biden’s favorability rating before he dropped out of the race. Harris is receiving more attention as Americans form opinions about her in the lead-up to the election, and her campaign is working to define her candidacy.
Despite the increase in favorability, Harris still faces challenges in reaching certain voter groups. While her favorability has risen among Democrats, independents, women, and young adults, she still struggles to win over white and male voters. About half of men and 6 in 10 white men have a negative opinion of her, while white women, especially those with a college degree, tend to view her more favorably. Harris will need to work on appealing to a broader range of voters to secure a victory in November.
Harris’s favorability has also remained steady among older adults, with about half of those over 60 viewing her positively. While she has strong support among Black adults, she still needs to mobilize other minority groups, such as Hispanic adults. Her campaign will need to focus on addressing potential weaknesses, such as winning over white male voters and solidifying support among key demographics to secure a win in the upcoming election.
Harris’s ability to address voters’ concerns and deliver on her campaign promises will be crucial in winning over undecided voters. Johnita Johnson, a Black woman from North Carolina, plans to vote for Harris but emphasizes the importance of realistic promises from politicians. She believes that Harris can do a good job if she is honest about what she can achieve in office. Building trust with voters like Johnson will be essential for Harris to secure enough support to win in November.
Some voters, like Brian Mowrer from Wisconsin, are motivated by their concerns about certain policy issues, such as the potential impact of conservative Supreme Court justices and access to abortion. Mowrer, a former Republican turned Democrat, supports Harris because he believes she will address these issues effectively. Harris’s ability to appeal to a diverse range of voters and address pressing policy concerns will be instrumental in securing a victory in the upcoming election.
Overall, Harris’s increasing favorability ratings show promise for her campaign, but she still needs to address challenges in securing support from certain voter groups. As the Democratic National Convention kicks off, Harris will have the opportunity to showcase her platform and engage with voters to build momentum leading up to Election Day. With 77 days remaining until the election, Harris and the Democratic Party have their work cut out for them as they seek to secure a victory in November.
