Despite being perceived as the winner in the recent debate against Donald Trump, Kamala Harris' lead in the polls remained unchanged according to The New York Post.
The political stage was set on September 10 in Philadelphia for a much-anticipated presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. This was the first in-person debate between the two candidates in this election cycle.
According to a recent ABC News/Ipsos survey, though Harris was seen as the debate winner by a significant margin, her polling numbers have not experienced any upward movement.
Harris, apparently shining in the debate, was perceived as the winner by 58% of the survey respondents. This view was heavily tinted by party loyalties, with a sweeping 95% of Democrats in her corner compared to 75% of Republicans who felt Trump won.
Despite her favorable reception at the debate, her overall electoral lead over Trump remains steady at 52% to 46% among likely voters, exactly where it was in August. This suggests that Harris's "victory" may be the product of the biased mainstream media.
The debate not only showcased the candidates' rhetoric but also highlighted their strengths on several critical American issues.
Donald Trump, despite being less favored overall in the debate outcome, continued to hold a strong position on the economy, inflation, and immigration. On the other hand, Kamala Harris was favored on matters related to democracy, healthcare, and abortion rights, areas where she has been vocally active.
The demographics of the voters play a significant role in their preferences. Likely female voters show a preference for Harris (55% to 44%), while male voters are evenly split, each favoring a candidate at 49%. Harris also leads considerably among black voters (89% to 9%) and Hispanic voters (58% to 41%), indicating a diverse base of support.
These unchanged numbers post-debate suggest a deeply entrenched voter base on both sides, where debates may do less to sway opinions and more to reinforce existing beliefs.
This polarization is reflected in the party-specific viewership where a staggering 97% of Harris' supporters and 78% of Trump’s believe their candidate was the victor in the debate.
The debate's outcomes and their perceived fairness have not gone without criticism.
Trump accused ABC News of biased reporting following the debate and expressed discontent by declaring on Truth Social: “When a prizefighter loses a fight, the first words out of his mouth are ‘I WANT A REMATCH,’” suggesting his unwillingness to participate in future debates organized by what he views as partisan media.
Looking forward, the political arena does not slow down, with another major event lined up on October 1.
This will feature a debate between Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance and Democratic nominee Tim Walz, which will be hosted by CBS News. The continuation of these debates marks a critical path in the buildup to the election, with each event providing candidates the opportunity to solidify or sway voter groups.
Further polling in battleground states indicates subtle shifts could be occurring beneath the surface.
A poll by the Des Moines Register/Mediacom showed Harris narrowing Trump’s lead in Iowa to just 4 percentage points, suggesting potential vulnerabilities in what may have been presumed strongholds.
The ABC News/Ipsos survey, which conducted this insight, included 3,276 adults and 2,196 likely voters, making its findings robust within a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points. This statistical backbone gives a clearer, albeit complex, picture of the national mood.