Analysis of CBS News poll on Democrats’ support for Kamala Harris
As Vice President Kamala Harris gears up to accept her party’s nomination for president, the Democratic base is buzzing with excitement. Since emerging as the presumptive nominee, more Democrats have pledged their unwavering support and commitment to vote in the upcoming election.
Accompanying this wave of enthusiasm is a shift towards a more positive and hopeful perspective regarding the election. When asked whether voters view this election through a lens of hope for potential progress or fear of possible consequences, Democrats overwhelmingly lean towards hope.
Despite the fervor surrounding Harris within the Democratic Party, she still encounters challenges in capturing the broader electorate’s attention, much like President Biden did. Harris lags behind former President Donald Trump on critical issues such as the economy, indicating the need to sway undecided voters in her favor.
With a considerable portion of the electorate still unclear about Harris’s platform and stances, there lies an opportunity for her to reintroduce herself and articulate how she plans to address pressing concerns more effectively than Trump.
Excitement among Democrats for Harris is palpable, with two-thirds expressing their enthusiasm for her candidacy. Both male and female Democratic voters, along with liberals and moderates, exude excitement, albeit at varying levels. The overwhelming majority of Democrats, if not excited, are at the very least content with Harris as their nominee.
Moreover, recent data suggests that Democrats have narrowed the gap with Republicans in terms of their commitment to voting in the election, now standing on an equal footing in their determination to participate.
The evolving sentiments within the Democratic camp are marked by a shift towards optimism, with a significant increase in the percentage of Democrats viewing the election through a hopeful lens rather than a fearful one.
However, despite the momentum garnered by Harris, there are essential areas where she needs to make significant strides to compete with Trump effectively. Key issues such as the economy and inflation, along with concerns regarding the U.S.-Mexico border, present challenges where Harris trails behind Trump.
On the flip side, Harris maintains an edge over Trump on other crucial issues like abortion, democracy, and matters related to race and diversity.
While Democrats may feel familiar with Harris’s platform, a substantial portion of voters, specifically independents, are still in the process of familiarising themselves with her policies. An alarming 44% of independents admit to being unaware of Harris’s stances, underlining the necessity for her to engage and convince this pivotal voter segment to support the Harris-Walz ticket.
The insights presented in this analysis stem from a comprehensive CBS News/YouGov survey conducted amongst a representative sample of 3,258 registered voters across the nation from August 14-16, 2024. The sample’s composition was aligned with demographic parameters such as gender, age, race, and education, ensuring a true reflection of the U.S. electorate. The margin of error for registered voters stands at ±2.1 points.
