Vice President Kamala Harris approval ratings have improved dramatically over the past few weeks according to a number of surveys, with one pollster calling her rise “incredible.”
According to an analysis of recent polling by election website FiveThirtyEight on August 8, Harris had a net favorability rating of -5.5, with 43.2 percent of voters having a favorable view of her and 48.6 percent an unfavorable perception. This was a substantial improvement from July 21, the day President Joe Biden pulled out of the presidential race, when Harris’ rating was -14.6
When Biden ended his reelection bid, he endorsed Harris, who swiftly established herself as the Democratic Party’s 2024 presumptive presidential nominee. Harris went on to outperform the Republican candidate, former President Donald Trump, whom Biden had generally been trailing, in more than a dozen polls and is now the favorite to win in November with a number of leading bookmakers.
Trump has also seen an improvement in his popularity, according to the latest FiveThirtyEight analysis. On July 21, the website found 41.4 percent of voters had a positive perception of the former president against 53.8 percent who were negative, giving a net favorability rating of -12.3. The rating improved to -8.4 on August 8, when Trump had a favorability rating of 43.3 percent and an unfavorable rating of 51.7 percent with American voters.
A Marquette Law School poll of 879 registered voters conducted between July 24 and August 1 found that Harris was the preferred choice of president for 52 percent of registered voters against 48 percent for Trump. Among only likely voters, Harris’ lead was greater at 53 percent to 47 percent. The poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 4.7 percentage points.
dam Carlson, a pollster who used to work for the Global Strategy Group consultancy, noted that Kamala Harris approval ratings in the Marquette Law School improved substantially compared to a survey conducted by the company in May.
“Harris’ net favorability rating improving from -20 in May to -3 in late July/early August is nothing short of incredible,” Carlson wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
“Trump’s net favorability has also improved during this period, from -17 to -8 — perhaps due to the assassination attempt and RNC [Republican National Convention].”
On July 13, Trump survived an assassination attempt when a gunman opened fire at a campaign rally in Butler Pennsylvania, leaving the Republican candidate with a wounded right ear and one of the attendees dead. The shooter was killed by return fire from law enforcement.
Also on X, Elliott Morris, editorial director of data analysis at Roovet News, shared a screenshot from FiveThirtyEight showing the stark improvement in Harris’ popularity since Biden stepped aside.
He wrote: “News you can use! 538 now has an updating average of Kamala Harris’s favorability rating. And wow… what a bounce. Harris was 17 points underwater in early July. Now she’s at just -9 (tied w/ Trump) and quickly trending positive.”
Kamala Harris, the current Vice President of the United States, has seen fluctuations in Kamala Harris approval ratings. Here’s a summary of recent polls:
- TIPP Insights (July 31-Aug. 2, 2024):
- Approval: 41%
- Disapproval: 46%
- YouGov/UMass/WCVB-TV (July 29-Aug. 1, 2024):
- Approval: 46%
- Disapproval: 47%
- ActiVote (July 22-31, 2024):
- Approval: 46%
- Disapproval: 51%
- Redfield & Wilton Strategies (July 29, 2024):
- Approval: 42%
- Disapproval: 41%
- Ipsos/Reuters (July 26-28, 2024):
- Approval: 39%
- Disapproval: 48%
- Big Data Poll/Public Polling Project (July 26-28, 2024):
- Approval: 48%
- Disapproval: 49%
- Morning Consult (July 30, 2024):
- Approval: 50%
- ABC News/Ipsos (July 29, 2024):
- Approval: 43% (up from 35% previously)
Harris’s approval ratings have experienced both highs and lows, influenced by various factors. As with any politician, public opinion remains dynamic. Keep an eye on future polls to see how her ratings evolve!
Several factors can influence Kamala Harris approval ratings:
- Policy Decisions: The public often evaluates politicians based on their policy decisions. If Harris is associated with popular policies or faces criticism for unpopular ones, it can impact Kamala Harris approval ratings.
- Economic Conditions: Economic stability or instability can sway public opinion. A strong economy tends to boost Kamala Harris approval ratings, while economic downturns can lead to dissatisfaction.
- Media Coverage: Positive or negative media coverage shapes public perception. Harris’s image in the media affects how people view her performance.
- Partisan Divide: Kamala Harris approval ratings often split along party lines. Democrats may be more favorable, while Republicans may be critical.
- Leadership Style: Leadership qualities, communication skills, and crisis management impact Kamala Harris approval ratings. Voters appreciate transparency, empathy, and effective decision-making.
- Personal Attributes: Factors like trustworthiness, relatability, and charisma play a role. Personal scandals or controversies can harm Kamala Harris approval ratings.
- Historical Context: Comparisons to past vice presidents or historical events influence ratings. Context matters.
Remember, Kamala Harris approval ratings are dynamic and subject to change. Public sentiment can shift rapidly based on these and other factors!
Let’s explore some of Vice President Kamala Harris’s recent policy stances:
- Abortion Rights:
- Harris has championed abortion rights for the administration after the overturning of Roe v. Wade in June 2022.
- She embarked on a “reproductive freedoms tour” to multiple states, including a visit to an abortion clinic in Minnesota.
- While her current policies on abortion may not differ significantly from President Biden’s, her focus on maternal health makes her a strong messenger for reproductive rights.
- Economy:
- High prices and inflation concern many Americans. Harris echoes Biden’s themes, emphasizing opportunities for economic advancement.
- She aims to address the cost of living and provide relief to struggling families.
- Police Reforms:
- Following George Floyd’s killing, Harris backed a new package of police reforms.
- She supports a ban on evictions and foreclosures during the pandemic and proposed sending regular payments (up to $2,000) to people.
- Climate Crisis:
- Harris has a history of combating the climate crisis and revitalizing America’s infrastructure.
- She continues to advocate for sustainable policies.
Remember, these are snapshots of her recent positions, and she may evolve her policies as circumstances change.
