A recent poll conducted by ABC News reveals that Vice President Kamala Harris's performance in last week's presidential debate and Taylor Swift's endorsement have not significantly altered the race against former President Donald Trump.
According to the Washington Examiner, the poll conducted from September 11-13 shows Harris maintaining a slim lead over Trump among likely voters.
The survey, produced by Langer Research Associates with fieldwork by Ipsos, indicates that Harris leads Trump by 52% to 46% among likely voters and 51% to 47% among registered voters.
These figures are consistent with Harris's six-point leads in previous ABC/Ipsos surveys from late August and early August, suggesting that the debate and Swift's endorsement did not provide a substantial boost to Harris's campaign.
The poll specifically addressed the impact of Taylor Swift's endorsement of Harris, revealing that it had minimal effect on voters' decisions. A mere 6% of respondents stated that Swift's endorsement made them more likely to support Harris, while 13% reported it made them less likely to do so. The vast majority, 81%, indicated that the endorsement made no difference in their voting intentions.
Interestingly, the poll showed that those who responded negatively to Swift's endorsement were primarily Trump supporters. This suggests that the endorsement may have reinforced existing political alignments rather than swaying undecided voters.
The limited impact of celebrity endorsements, in this case, highlights the complexity of political influences in the current electoral landscape. It appears that voters are more likely to base their decisions on other factors, such as policy positions and debate performances.
While the overall race remains largely unchanged, the poll did reveal some shifts in voters' perceptions following the debate. Harris saw an improvement in her personal appeal, with 37% of respondents saying the debate made them feel more favorably toward her, compared to 23% who felt less favorably.
In contrast, Trump did not receive the same benefit from the debate. Voters reported by a 2-1 margin that the debate made them view him less favorably. However, it's important to note that these shifts in perception largely occurred within each candidate's existing base of support.
For Harris, 69% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning Independents reported viewing her more favorably after the debate. Similarly, only 34% of Republicans and GOP-leaning Independents viewed Trump more favorably post-debate.
The poll also provided insights into voters' preferences on key issues. Trump is perceived as stronger on economic matters, including inflation, which many respondents identified as the most important issue in the upcoming election. Harris, on the other hand, is viewed more favorably on issues such as healthcare, abortion rights, and protecting democracy.
These issue-based preferences could play a crucial role in the final outcome of the election, especially in swing states where economic concerns often take center stage. The candidates' ability to address these key issues effectively may ultimately determine their success in November.
In conclusion, the ABC News poll suggests that the recent presidential debate and Taylor Swift's endorsement have not significantly altered the dynamics of the 2024 presidential race. Harris maintains a slim lead over Trump, with voters largely divided along existing party lines. The economy and inflation remain top concerns for many voters, while issues like healthcare and democracy protection also play important roles in shaping voter preferences.
