Her momentum is slowing down.
On Friday, a CNN polling expert pointed out that while former President Trump may not be as favored as his rival, Vice President Kamala Harris, he currently enjoys greater popularity than he did during similar stages of his previous campaigns. Both candidates have been actively engaging with the public through various media appearances, including podcasts and town halls, leading to a tightly contested race.
CNN’s senior political data reporter, Harry Enten, noted a significant trend indicating that Harris’s initial momentum may have faded, while Trump’s support appears to be increasing. Enten explained that despite Trump’s overall net favorability rating being negative at -9 points, this rating is better than his standing during the 2020 and 2016 elections, which poses a challenge for Harris’s campaign. He questioned why Trump’s popularity seems to have grown compared to previous elections, suggesting this could explain the heightened attacks coming from Harris’s team.
While Harris is still more popular than Trump, her approval ratings have dipped from +1 in September to -1 in October in one poll. Enten observed that her campaign may feel the need to pivot their strategy after experiencing a stall in momentum following her initial rise as the presumptive Democratic nominee. He cautioned that just being more popular than Trump may not be sufficient for Harris, referencing the fact that Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton were both more popular than Trump yet faced tight races.
Emphasizing the importance of ongoing popularity, Enten remarked that Harris must strive to boost her favorability ratings, as the current trajectory appears to be negative. The political landscape remains fluid, and both candidates must navigate these dynamics carefully as the election approaches.
