In the latest ABC News Ipsos and Washington Post poll, Vice President Kamala Harris is leading former President Donald Trump in favorability, a significant development as the 2024 presidential race heats up. Harris enjoys a 46% favorability rating, compared to Trump’s 33%, placing her in a stronger position as the campaign enters its critical final stages.
Despite Harris’s lead, the Trump campaign is far from backing down. With few avenues left to improve Trump’s standing, his advisers have focused on attacking Harris by closely associating her with President Joe Biden’s policies, particularly on contentious issues like inflation and immigration. However, these efforts have yet to make a significant dent in her favorability, leaving Trump’s team scrambling for a strategy that resonates with voters.
As the election approaches, two issues are emerging as top priorities for the electorate: the affordability of essentials like food, fuel, housing, and healthcare, and the ongoing debate over immigration and border security. While Harris leads in personal likability and trustworthiness, Trump still holds an advantage when voters consider policy outcomes over the last few years.
One of the key battlegrounds for both campaigns is the union vote. Harris has secured strong support from government and teachers’ unions, but her support among trade unions, particularly those representing workers who use their hands, is more tenuous. This split among union voters could prove critical in determining the outcome of the election.
In response, Harris’s campaign is doubling down on efforts in key “blue wall” states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin. These states, which were crucial in past elections, are once again in the spotlight as Harris seeks to solidify her support among labor voters. Her campaign has been actively engaging with union members in these states, emphasizing policies that protect and promote workers’ rights.
As the campaign moves forward, both sides acknowledge that the race is likely to be decided by razor-thin margins. Harris’s team is focused on maintaining her lead, while Trump’s camp is doing everything possible to chip away at her support. With just weeks to go until the election, the battle for the White House is shaping up to be one of the most closely contested in recent history.
