Harris Expands Lead Over Trump in Latest Post-Debate Poll

Vice President Kamala Harris has strengthened her lead against former President Donald Trump following their highly anticipated debate earlier this week. According to a recent Morning Consult poll after their Tuesday debate, Harris now holds a 5-point advantage over Trump, an increase from her previous 3- and 4-point leads.

If the election were held today, 50 percent of likely voters surveyed said they would choose Harris, a slight rise from 49 percent before the debate. In contrast, Trump’s support saw a dip, falling from 46 percent to 45 percent post-debate.

While Harris continues to secure the bulk of her support from Democratic voters, she has also gained an edge over Trump among independents, holding 46 percent support compared to Trump’s 40 percent. This marks a critical battleground that could play a significant role as the election nears.

Morning Consult analysts noted that while Harris appeared to gain momentum before the televised event in Philadelphia, her solid debate performance likely played a role in sustaining her upward trajectory. The debate, which centered on contentious issues such as abortion and immigration, marked the first time the two candidates faced off on stage.

Harris’s performance was a defining moment, especially after she successfully challenged Trump on several key points, drawing him into heated exchanges. At one point, Trump was observed becoming visibly angry and refusing to make eye contact with Harris, a moment that analysts believe may have hurt his standing with some voters.

Short-term polling also showed that viewers believed Harris emerged victorious in the debate. The debate allowed her to outline her policy positions and underscore the differences between her and the former president.

The Morning Consult poll surveyed 3,317 likely voters on Wednesday and has a margin of error of 2 percentage points. It provides further insight into the evolving dynamics of the 2024 race as candidates continue to vie for voter attention and support. 

Categories: 2024 Elections, Campaign*  

*Tags: 2024 presidential debate, 2024 presidential election

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