A recent poll conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research reveals that Vice President Kamala Harris is perceived to have an advantage over former President Donald Trump in several leadership qualities. The poll found that Americans view Harris as more honest, committed to democracy, disciplined, and caring about people like them compared to Trump.
While Harris is seen as excelling in attributes related to democracy and discipline, Trump holds a slight edge when it comes to trust on the economy and immigration issues. However, Harris is favored over Trump on issues related to race and racial inequality, abortion policy, and health care.
Democrats and independents show more enthusiasm for Harris compared to when Biden was the candidate, with a majority expressing excitement or satisfaction at the prospect of her being elected. This marks a significant shift in Democratic sentiment from previous polls.
Despite Harris' strengths in various areas, the poll also highlights potential challenges for her, particularly in handling the war in Gaza, where only about 60% of Democrats trust her over Trump.
Overall, the poll indicates a divided sentiment among Americans on who is more capable of winning in November, with both Trump and Harris garnering similar levels of trust. Independents lean slightly towards Trump on economic and immigration issues, while Harris enjoys stronger support among Democrats and women on key policy matters.
The survey, conducted from August 8-12, 2024, sampled 1,164 adults and has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3.8 percentage points.
