Ohio Sen. JD Vance dismissed recent polling data that shows Vice President Kamala Harris leading nationally and in key battleground states, citing the inaccuracy of polls in past elections. Vance argued that polls tend to overstate the support for Democrats, as was seen in the summers of 2016 and 2020, and that many polls were wrong on Election Day. Vance made these comments during an appearance on “Fox News Sunday” after being informed about a New York Times poll showing Harris ahead of former President Trump in Arizona and North Carolina, while narrowing his lead in Georgia and Nevada.
Vance stated that Harris had a temporary surge in popularity but has since leveled off according to their own internal data. He suggested that insiders in the Harris campaign are concerned about her ability to address the inflation crisis, given her track record as vice president. When presented with an ABC News/Washington Post poll showing Harris with a 4-5 point lead over Trump nationally, Vance countered by pointing out that the same poll had been inaccurate in the past. He argued that there were other polls showing Harris stagnating and leveling off.
As per the Real Clear Politics polling average, Harris took the national lead over Trump on August 5 and has since seen that lead grow to 1.4 points. The polling average also indicates Harris with narrow leads in battleground states such as Arizona, Wisconsin, and Michigan, while Trump holds slim leads in Nevada, North Carolina, and Georgia. The state of Pennsylvania is currently tied according to the polling average. Despite these numbers, Vance emphasized that the Trump campaign needs to focus on getting their message out and not worry too much about polls. He expressed confidence in reaching the right place by November by continuing to work hard and encouraging people to vote.
In response to the discussion about Harris outperforming Trump in polls, Vance highlighted the need for the campaign to focus on connecting with the American people and running through the finish line. He suggested that the internal data and conversations with voters were more indicative of the actual situation and that the team needed to continue their efforts to secure a win in November. Vance’s comments come amid a shifting political landscape and uncertainty surrounding the upcoming election, with polls indicating various outcomes in key battleground states.
In conclusion, while recent polls show Vice President Kamala Harris leading nationally and in key battleground states, Ohio Sen. JD Vance dismissed these results, citing the inaccuracy of polling in past elections. Vance argued that polls tend to overstate Democratic support and pointed out inconsistencies in previous polls conducted by organizations such as ABC News/Washington Post. Despite Harris’ surge in popularity according to polling averages, Vance emphasized the importance of focusing on the campaign message, connecting with voters, and working towards a successful outcome in November. The discussion highlights the continuing debates and uncertainties surrounding the upcoming election, as both campaigns navigate a complex political landscape.