Vice President Kamala Harris is garnering increased excitement and support from Democrats as she heads into the Democratic National Convention. According to a recent poll conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, Harris's favorability ratings among Americans have seen a notable uptick.
The poll revealed that 48% of U.S. adults now hold a very or somewhat favorable view of Harris, a significant increase from 39% earlier in the summer. This surge in favorability is not only a positive development for Harris but also places her ahead of where President Joe Biden stood before he exited the presidential race.
Furthermore, Harris's favorability ratings have surpassed those of former President Donald Trump, with 41% of adults expressing a favorable opinion of Trump. The rise in Harris's favorability coincides with a decrease in the percentage of individuals who claim to not know enough about her to form an opinion, dropping from 12% in June to 6% currently.
Potential Strengths for Harris
Recent data indicates that Harris's favorability has slightly increased among key demographic groups that typically align with the Democratic Party. She has seen upticks in favorability among Democrats, independents, women, and young adults under the age of 30. Notably, half of adults under 30 now hold a very or somewhat favorable view of Harris, up from 34% in June.
Among Black adults, Harris maintains relatively high levels of favorability, with around two-thirds expressing a positive view of her. This demographic group plays a crucial role in Harris's support base, with approximately 6 in 10 nonwhite men and women holding a favorable impression of her.
Possible Weaknesses for Harris
As Harris's campaign progresses, efforts will be made to mitigate negative perceptions among certain voter segments. Currently, about half of men and 6 in 10 white men have an unfavorable view of Harris. White women, particularly those with a college degree, exhibit more favorable opinions of her.
Views of Harris among older adults have remained relatively stable, with approximately half of adults over 60 expressing a positive view of her.
The upcoming Democratic National Convention presents an opportunity for Harris to further solidify her support base and address any lingering concerns among voters. The evolving dynamics of Harris's favorability ratings will continue to shape the narrative surrounding her candidacy as the election approaches.
