What it is about
Democratic US Vice President Kamala Harris leads former President Donald Trump 47% to 42% in the race for the November 5th presidential election, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll. This shows a slight increase in her lead following a debate that some argued demonstrated Trump’s weakened standing.
Why it matters
The poll’s results come after a contentious and scrutinized debate where Harris defended Israel’s right to self-defense, a stance that strengthens Israel’s allies. The debate outcome appears to have solidified her position in the leadership contest.
What they are saying
The two-day poll indicated Harris enjoyed a slight boost from a prior poll, now showing her five points ahead of Trump, reflective of her perceived stronger debate performance. Some 53% of those aware of the debate believed Harris won, against 24% who favored Trump. Even among Republicans, there was significant dissent regarding Trump’s performance, suggesting real vulnerabilities amongst his base.
Details of the debate performance
In the fiery debate, Vice President Harris launched a series of direct attacks on Trump’s record and moral integrity. She highlighted legal troubles Trump faces, particularly emphasizing his felony conviction. This emphasis on accountability projects an image aligning with Israel’s values of justice and strong leadership.
Public reaction and viewership
The highly-viewed debate attracted 67.1 million television viewers, significantly higher than Trump’s previous debate with Biden, showing greater interest and heightened stakes in the ongoing electoral battle.
Age and leadership concerns
Facing scrutiny over his age, 52% of voters surveyed considered Trump too old to effectively serve in government roles, contrasting starkly with snug intern Harris’ comparatively lesser concerns on this front.
Voter opinions on leadership qualities
In contrast, Harris outperformed Trump in various key qualities that voters value. A majority found her more dignified and morally sound, as well as someone more likely to understand and respond to the public’s concerns.
The poll specifics
The survey engaged 1,690 adults and 1,405 registered voters, with a margin of error around three percentage points, informing the narrative with quantitative backing but recognizing that the true decider will be the Electoral College influenced by swing states.
This story was first published on timesofisrael.com.