Donald Trump’s lead over Kamala Harris on the economy and crime is narrowing among US voters, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll, a sign that the Democratic vice president’s campaign is gaining momentum ahead of the November 5 presidential election.
The three-day poll, conducted August 23-25, showed that Republican former President Trump’s outlook on the economy and jobs was preferred by 43% of registered voters, while 40% preferred Harris’s outlook. The difference of 3 percentage points was too small to be significant, given the poll’s margin of error of 4 percentage points. An earlier Reuters/Ipsos poll in late July showed Trump with an 11-point lead on the economy.
On the issue of crime and corruption, Harris and Trump both had 40% support, showing a greater tilt toward Harris, who was 5 points behind Trump in the July poll.
Recent national polls have shown Harris has held a slight lead over Trump since she entered the race following President Joe Biden’s decision to halt his campaign on July 21. A late July Reuters/Ipsos poll found Harris with a 1-point lead, 43% to 42%.
It remains to be seen how independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s decision to suspend his campaign on Friday will affect the race. Kennedy, who had the support of about 8% of voters in a July poll, later endorsed Trump.
Trump’s campaign speeches often criticized the Biden administration’s management of the economy as households continue to grapple with years of high inflation. Harris has pledged to get prices under control through efforts such as cracking down on “price gouging” by grocery store owners.
The new poll found that the economy was the biggest issue for 26% of registered voters, while 22% said political extremism and threats to democracy and 13% said immigration was the biggest issue.
Voters chose Harris over Trump on the issue of extremism by 42% to 36%. Trump had an edge on immigration policy, where Harris was voted for by 37% of voters while 45% voted for Trump.
Neither candidate is widely liked, with 59% of voters saying they have an unfavorable view of Trump and 52% saying the same about Harris. Harris is viewed positively by 47% of voters, compared to 39% for Trump.
The survey collected online responses from 1,028 adults across the country, including 902 registered voters.
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