In a recent discussion, renowned pollster Frank Luntz highlighted that former President Donald Trump is currently outpacing Vice President Kamala Harris on issues of utmost importance to Americans.
However, he emphasized that Trump's "angry" communication style could be a stumbling block in his bid to defeat her.
According to a series of polls conducted by The New York Times/Siena College, Trump is trailing behind Harris in crucial swing states such as Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. During his appearance on "CNN News Central," Luntz opined that if the election were held today, Harris "would win." Nevertheless, he believes Trump could still emerge victorious if he alters his campaign rhetoric.
Luntz pointed out, "She's talking and emphasizing her persona, her attributes, her character traits. And that's where Trump has been commenting on. And the fact is the American people do not want to hear the same kind of negativity, the same kind of attacks that he's been delivering." He further stressed that Trump's strength lies in addressing issues, particularly the two most significant ones - inflation and immigration. However, instead of focusing on these topics and critiquing the Biden administration's failures, Trump has been launching personal attacks, which Luntz believes are alienating the voters he needs to connect with.
Luntz also underscored the importance of the upcoming debates, stating, "The key moment here is going to be the debates when Harris and Trump stand side-by-side and give the alternative points of view." He remains optimistic about Trump's chances, asserting, "I still think he has a reasonable chance of winning, because in the end, the issue agenda favors him. But not if you're so angry that you've stopped reflecting the people you're trying to reach."
As reported by the Daily Caller, the latest NYT/Siena polls reveal that voters still have more faith in Trump than Harris when it comes to handling immigration and the economy.
A late July Wall Street Journal poll even showed Trump holding a 12-point lead over Harris on economic issues.
The NYT's polling averages depict a neck-and-neck race, with Harris averaging 48% support and Trump close behind at 47% nationally as of August 10. The two are evenly matched in Pennsylvania, while Harris holds slight leads in Michigan and Wisconsin.
Luntz recently suggested that Trump could gain an edge over Harris by challenging voters to "name one thing she accomplished as Vice President." He concluded by saying, "People don't like it when politicians attack each other. Accountability? Yes. Attacks? No." This statement serves as a reminder that while political competition is inevitable, maintaining respect and focusing on the issues at hand are paramount.
Login