The Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris, is struggling to capture the attention of the younger demographic, a group that President Joe Biden had previously lost to former President Donald Trump, according to CNN's senior data reporter, Harry Enten.
The data suggests that Harris's appeal to young voters is not significantly better than Biden's, and in fact, she is faring much worse than Biden did in the 2020 election.
As reported by the Daily Caller, an early July poll conducted by the New York Times/Siena College revealed that Trump led Biden by 48% to 40% among young voters aged 18-29. Enten, during his appearance on "CNN News Central," stated that while Harris might be doing "slightly better," the improvement is not substantial. "What do we see with Kamala Harris? Well, shes still ahead, but the margin here is significantly less than what we saw with Joe Biden back in 2020. Shes up by just nine points," Enten said.
Enten's analysis raises questions about the Democratic Party's ability to engage young voters, a demographic that has historically leaned towards their side. He pointed out that Harris's lead is significantly less than the 21-point advantage Biden had among voters under the age of 35 in the 2020 election. This suggests a decline in the Democratic Party's appeal to the younger generation, which could have significant implications for future elections.
The data reporter also highlighted that Harris has not been successful in motivating young voters to participate in the upcoming 2024 election. "Because its not just who you would support, its whether or not youd come out to the polls," he said. Enten's analysis revealed that only 42% of younger voters were more likely to turn out, a figure not significantly different from the 39% of Democrats who said they were more motivated to vote after Biden left the race.
Enten's report also revealed an intriguing shift in the political landscape, with young voters increasingly identifying as Republicans. "Shes trying to fight against a wave that is going against the Democrats among young voters," Enten said. This shift could pose a significant challenge for Harris and the Democratic Party as they attempt to regain the support of this crucial demographic.
The uphill battle for Harris doesn't stop there. Enten warned about the difficulty Harris will face in defeating Trump due to the popularity he gained following the Republican National Convention and surviving an assassination attempt. This popularity, combined with the shifting political inclinations of young voters, could make it challenging for Harris to secure victory in the 2024 election.
The data presented by Enten paints a concerning picture for the Democratic Party. With young voters increasingly identifying as Republicans and the lack of significant improvement in Harris's appeal to this demographic, the party may need to reassess its strategies to regain the support of young voters. As the 2024 election approaches, the Democratic Party's ability to engage and motivate young voters could be a decisive factor in determining its success.
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