In a surprising turn of events, a recent poll conducted by The New York Times and Siena College has revealed that former President Donald Trump is edging out Vice President Kamala Harris among likely voters in the forthcoming general election.
The poll results indicate a narrow lead for Trump, with 48 percent of the vote compared to Harris's 47 percent.
According to The Post Millennial, this poll is the first significant nonpartisan national survey in approximately a month to show Trump in the lead. The New York Times suggests that this could be indicative of a stalling in the initial excitement surrounding Harris's candidacy.
The survey also revealed that Trump's approval rating is currently higher than it was during his 2016 and 2020 campaigns, with 46 percent of voters expressing a favorable view of him. When questioned about the most pressing issues in the upcoming election and which candidate would be better equipped to handle them, Trump surpassed Harris by five points.
Interestingly, Trump is also seen as the more moderate candidate in comparison to Harris. A near majority of voters perceive Trump as being "not too far" to the right on key issues, while almost half view Harris as leaning too far to the left. Furthermore, 61 percent of voters view Trump as a candidate of "change," a stark contrast to the 40 percent who view Harris in the same light. This perception aligns with the 61 percent of likely voters who expressed a desire for the next president to bring about "major change" from the current administration.
The poll results also shed light on a potential pitfall in Harris's campaign strategy. Her decision to avoid most interviews and press conferences may be contributing to a lack of visibility. A significant 28 percent of voters claimed they do not know enough about the Democratic nominee, compared to a mere 9 percent for Trump. This lack of familiarity may be fueling perceptions of Harris as "too liberal or progressive" and as a "risky" choice.
The poll, conducted from September 3 to 6, surveyed 1,695 registered voters. The results underscore the unpredictability of the political landscape and the potential for traditional values and limited government, as embodied by Trump, to resonate with voters. It remains to be seen how these findings will impact the strategies of both campaigns as the election draws nearer.
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