Harris now leads Trump by 5 points in new poll.

After the recent debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, new poll results reveal a significant shift in the political landscape. According to a poll of 1,755 U.S. adults, conducted shortly after the debate, Harris has surged ahead of Trump among registered voters. She now leads Trump by a five-point margin in a head-to-head match-up. This lead extends to third-party candidates and likely voters as well.

It’s important to note that Harris’s lead is more about her gaining ground than Trump slipping. While Trump has maintained a steady percentage of around 45%, Harris is now winning a larger share of Democrats and 2020 Biden voters than Biden did. In addition, Harris is performing better among various demographic groups, including Latin Americans, women, Black Americans, and younger voters.

Moreover, Harris has managed to win over independents, shifting from trailing behind Trump to now leading by 10 points among this crucial bloc. The recent Yahoo News/YouGov poll results clearly indicate that Harris is on the rise after the September debate.

The debate performance played a crucial role in propelling this shift towards Harris. A majority of Americans who watched the debate or followed its coverage believe that Harris emerged as the winner. This sentiment cuts across party lines, with more Democrats acknowledging Harris’s victory over Republicans who believe Trump won. Independents also favor Harris, with only 21% thinking Trump came out on top.

In terms of overall performance, Harris outshines Trump in various attributes, such as being seen as more presidential, coherent, competent, policy-focused, and strong. On the flip side, Trump is perceived as more insulting, untruthful, and responsible for making the debate embarrassing, painful, and infuriating to watch. Harris not only won the personality contest but also excelled in the policy discussions during the debate.

Respondents who followed the debate closely rated Harris’s answers better than Trump’s on almost every issue, except immigration. This has seemingly improved Harris’s standing among viewers, as more now think better of her after the debate. Conversely, fewer respondents have a more positive perception of Trump following the debate, with independents particularly unimpressed.

As for what viewers learned from the debate, it appears that more people were educated about Harris than Trump. The insights garnered about Harris were mostly positive, focusing on her plans as president, temperament, and fitness for the role. On the other hand, opinions about Trump were more varied, with responses ranging from positive to negative or mixed.

Looking ahead, a significant majority of debate followers expressed interest in more debates between Trump and Harris. While Harris has called for another debate in October, Trump has refused. Despite this, the effects of their recent meeting are likely to have a lasting impact leading up to Election Day.

Following the DNC, Harris gained a lead over Trump in perceptions of who has a better chance of winning the election. Her favorable rating has also increased along with the perception of her being a moderate rather than strictly liberal. Interestingly, more Americans now believe that Harris has clearer plans to solve America’s problems compared to Trump.

Lastly, there is a growing sentiment among Americans that Trump is too old for another term as president. This perception has seen a steady rise, reaching its highest point in recent polls. The political landscape is evolving, and Harris’s lead over Trump after the September debate suggests a changing tide in the upcoming election.