Staff Reports
A new Gallup survey has thrown yet another spanner into the Democrats’ carefully curated narrative, revealing some troubling news for Vice President Kamala Harris while simultaneously providing a boost for former President Donald Trump. The poll, which gathered data over two weeks, has shown that the luster around Harris is fading faster than a poorly forged steel mansion in a California wildfire. While the poll doesn’t directly pit the two candidates against each other, it does indicate that Harris is losing traction among the voters who once adored her like a pet rock.
In stark contrast to August, when Harris was basking in the glow of mainstream media’s affection, the latest findings mark a noticeable downturn in her favorability ratings. One might think that Trump’s old-school charm had magically resurfaced, but it appears that the crowd cheering Kamala was merely a product of media hype that has worn off. Trump has crept up in the metrics, gaining a 5% boost in favorability, while the Vice President has been struck with a 3% decline. It seems that the “Harris Sugar High” is crashing down, and in its wake, Trump is enjoying a tantalizing bounce.
Gallup poll: Favorability Ratings (shift from August)
Donald Trump
Favorable: 46% (+5)
Unfavorable: 53% (-2)Kamala Harris
Favorable: 44% (-3)
Unfavorable: 54% (+5)
——
Among independents
Trump: 44-53 (net: -9)
Harris: 35-60 (-25)#44 (2.5/3.0) | n=1,007 A | 9/3-15… pic.twitter.com/bbBc8Hp0j4
— InteractivePolls (@IAPolls2022) September 18, 2024
While some might dismiss Trump’s 46% favorability as a less-than-stellar number, Harris’s 44% is worse, especially considering that her unfavorable ratings have skyrocketed to 54%. Independent voters, often seen as the holy grail in elections, have given Trump a (-9) net rating while Harris is experiencing a staggering (-25) – a clear indication that while many aren’t thrilled about Trump, Harris is truly villainous in their eyes. It seems that walking the tightrope of left-wing policy and “moderate” pretenses is earning her nothing but a round of applause from her party’s die-hard leftists, while swinging the door wide open for Trump’s play.
Harris’s struggles were on full display during public appearances when she faced voters and reporters who were less than willing to let her dodge questions like she used to so effortlessly. Attending a college event with a crowd of around 150, many in the audience visibly recoiled when she sidestepped inquiries on crucial topics such as reparations and gun control. So much for winning over those swing voters; it appears her evasiveness is leaving them cold, and it’s not just because they can smell a whopper when they hear one.
Instead of tackling vital issues, Harris has opted for a measured silence, presenting vague generalities that could fit on a fortune cookie slip. Her approach of dancing around her policy positions like a ballerina on a tightrope is not winning over the more discerning centrists. Even big-name Democrats have expressed frustration, as Harris has backtracked on key issues she once zealously championed, such as fracking and universal health care. This flip-flopping has heightened suspicion among voters who are left wondering whether they are looking at a “one of us” candidate or just another politician desperately trying to cling to power.
In stark contrast, President Biden’s approval ratings languish in the pits, supporting the Republican strategy of pairing Harris as attached to the current administration’s failures. With his approval at a miserly 39% and a shocking 31% among independents, it’s crystal clear that the duo is more toxic than a double shot of espresso straight from the “woke” coffee shop down the street. The Republican playbook is clear – exploit the unpopularity of the Biden-Harris administration to rally support for Trump, and the early polling is certainly making their case for them. If voters are looking for change, Trump’s received favorability numbers show that the winds might just be shifting in his direction.
