Vice President Kamala Harris appears to have an advantage over former President Donald Trump in several leadership qualities, according to a recent poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. The survey reveals that while Americans find Trump slightly more trustworthy on the economy and immigration, they believe attributes such as commitment to democracy, discipline, caring about people, and honesty better describe Harris.
As both parties aim to shape perceptions of Harris before she accepts the Democratic nomination, the poll indicates that she faces certain challenges similar to those that President Joe Biden encountered. However, Harris holds certain advantages over Trump when directly compared, with Democrats expressing more enthusiasm for her candidacy than they did for Biden’s.
Despite Trump positioning himself as a strong leader capable of handling crises and casting doubt on Harris’s international standing, the survey shows a near-even split among Americans in their views of both candidates’ leadership and crisis-management abilities. Notably, Americans are divided on who they believe is more likely to win in November, between Trump and Harris.
While Americans lean slightly towards trusting Trump more on economic and immigration matters, Harris is perceived as stronger in handling race-related issues, abortion policy, and healthcare. The poll suggests that Harris holds a significant edge over Trump among Democrats, independents, and women in these areas.
The survey also highlights certain concerns for Harris, particularly in the handling of the Gaza conflict, where only about 60% of Democrats trust her over Trump. However, there is a marked increase in enthusiasm among Democrats and independents for Harris’s candidacy compared to Biden’s, with feelings of excitement and satisfaction on the rise.
Overall, the poll provides insights into public perceptions of leadership qualities and policy issues concerning Harris and Trump, indicating areas where each candidate’s strengths and weaknesses lie among American voters.
