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Friday 20 September 2024
Voters view Harris more favorably as she settles into role atop

Democratic ticket: AP-NORC poll

By LINLEY SANDERS and
JONATHAN J. COOPER
Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Until
recently, Lillian Dunsmuir of
Bullhead City, Arizona, “didn’t
really think about” Kamala
Harris and had no opinion of
the vice president. But now
she likes what she’s seeing.
“She’s funny. I think she’s very
smart. She can speak well,”
said Dunsmuir, a 58-year-old
real estate agent. “I would
feel safe with her because I
think she can handle herself
with foreign leaders. I like her
because she’s for pro-choice,
and so am I.”
Voters view Harris slightly
more favorably than they
did in July, just after Presi-
dent Joe Biden dropped
out of the race, according
to a new poll from The As-
sociated Press-NORC Center
for Public Affairs Research.
The Democratic presidential
nominee is now seen more
positively than negatively.
Former President Donald
Trump’s favorability ratings Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris arrives to speak at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute
remained steady, although (CHCI) leadership conference, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Washington.
the poll was conducted prior Associated Press
to the apparent assassination came close to winning in 2020 36% of voters say that about for the better” describes Harris cratic voters were more likely
attempt of the Republican under similar conditions. Trump. And voters think Har- extremely or very well. They’re to say that Trump would not
nominee on his golf course The survey also found that ris has a better chance of also more likely to see Har- change the country for the
in Florida on Sunday. relatively small shares of vot- winning the election in No- ris over Trump as someone better or fight for people like
According to the survey, ers — around one-third — say vember, though a substantial who would fight for people them than they were to say
about half of voters have the phrase “would change share say the candidates are like them. Harris would do these things.
a somewhat or very posi- the country for the better” equally likely to win or don’t Despite attempts by Trump Republicans are a little more
tive view of Harris, and 44% describes Trump or Harris ex- have an opinion. to cast Harris as a weak al- divided on Trump than Demo-
have a somewhat or very tremely or very well, suggest- In another potentially prom- ternative, voters are similarly crats are on Harris on some
negative view. That’s a small ing that voters retain some ising finding for Harris, inde- likely to think that Trump and attributes. About one-third of
shift since late July, just after gloom about their options in pendent voters view her a lit- Harris are tough enough to Republican voters say “will
Biden dropped out of the the race. tle more favorably compared be president. say anything to win the elec-
race, when views of Harris “Everyone talks about how to Trump, although a sizable “I think that was his biggest tion” describes Trump very or
were slightly more unfavo- polarized we are. I don’t see share of independents view problem — he was a strong extremely well, while only 15%
rable than favorable. Six in the election solving that,” said both candidates negatively. leader and they didn’t like of Democratic voters say that
10 voters, meanwhile, have Sean Luebbers, a 55-year-old Among independents, 3 in 10 it,” Pat Brumfield, a 71-year- about Harris.
a somewhat or very unfavo- high school history teacher say they don’t know enough old retired administrator from Democratic voters, mean-
rable view of Trump, while in Upland, California, who to say whether Harris would Glenwood, West Virginia, said while, now have stronger
about 4 in 10 have a some- supports Harris. “I don’t see make a good president, of Trump. That strength, she positive feelings about Har-
what or very favorable view Harris solving that. I think a lot while 1 in 10 say that about said, could benefit the coun- ris than Republican voters do
of him. of the damage has already Trump, suggesting the vice try now. about Trump. About 9 in 10
Changes in views of national been done, so I’m not hope- president has more room to “I think that we need it,” said Democratic voters have a
figures like Biden, Trump or ful that the election will solve gain ground than her rival on Brumfield, who described her- somewhat or very favorable
Harris have been rare over that. Right now, you might that measure. self as a lifelong Democrat, view of their nominee, while
the past few years. Trump’s call it triage. We can’t make Opinions about Trump on but said she’s become disil- about 8 in 10 Republican
favorability rating didn’t things worse.” a variety of attributes are lusioned with the party and voters say the same about
budge over the course of Still, there are other signs in the generally more formed won’t vote for Harris. “After Trump.
the summer, despite a felony poll that Harris’ introduction than opinions about Harris. almost four years of Biden “I think she really understands,
conviction, a close call with a to the country is continuing About 6 in 10 voters say the barely getting around, I think and I think her understand-
would-be assassin in Pennsyl- to go well. Voters are more phrase “will say anything to it’s put a black eye on the ing of how expensive child
vania, and a new opponent likely to say that Harris would win the election” describes whole nation.” care is, how impossible it is
in the presidential contest. make a good president and Trump “extremely” or “very” On both sides of the political for first-time homebuyers to
But Trump has prevailed in that the Republican former well. About 4 in 10 voters say aisle, Republican and Demo- buy anything,” said Chanda
the past with similarly low president would not make a that phrase describes Harris cratic voters have stronger Harcourt, a 54-year-old writer
favorability ratings. He won good president. About half of at least very well. feelings about their opponent in Albuquerque, New Mexico,
the 2016 election despite be- voters say that Harris would Voters are more likely to say than their own party’s can- who supports Harris. “She re-
ing broadly unpopular, and make a good president, while “would change the country didate. For example, Demo- ally has a grip on it.”q