By Burnett Munthali
As the United States presidential election approaches on November 5, 2024, the campaigns of Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are intensifying. With just over three weeks left, both candidates are making last-minute appeals to voters, and polling data is becoming increasingly crucial. Here’s a breakdown of where the candidates stand in the polls and major updates from the campaign trail.
National polling averages indicate a slight edge for Kamala Harris. According to FiveThirtyEight, as of October 11, Harris leads Trump by 2.5 points, garnering 48.5% support compared to Trump’s 46%. Similarly, a polling average from 270toWin shows Harris at 49.3% against Trump’s 46.5%.
Key Insights:
Firstly, Harris appears to be gaining traction among suburban voters. A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll revealed that she leads Trump 47% to 41% in this demographic.
Secondly, however, Harris’s support among Black voters may be slipping. A New York Times/Siena College poll showed her support at 78%, a significant drop from the 90% support Joe Biden received in 2020.
As Hurricane Milton, a powerful Category 5 storm, made landfall in Florida, the political landscape was also flooded with misinformation. Trump faced backlash for his claims that the federal government was neglecting Republican areas after Hurricane Helene. In a response to these claims, President Biden condemned Trump’s rhetoric, calling it “un-American” and highlighting the spread of disinformation regarding disaster response.
Kamala Harris has ramped up her media presence significantly, contrasting with her earlier campaign strategy. In just a few days, she participated in several interviews, including appearances on “Call Her Daddy,” “The Howard Stern Show,” and “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.” This surge in visibility comes amid questions regarding both candidates’ health. The White House released a memo praising Harris’s physical and mental resilience, while questions surrounding Trump’s cognitive abilities have resurfaced.
Trump has intensified his anti-immigrant rhetoric, reiterating false claims about migrants committing crimes. In recent campaign stops, he emphasized plans for mass deportation and called for the death penalty for migrants who kill U.S. citizens. Critics argue that his nativist language aligns with extremist ideologies, and research contradicts his portrayal of immigrants as criminals.
The release of Bob Woodward’s latest book, which alleges close ties between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, has created a stir. The book suggests that Trump contacted Putin multiple times after leaving office and even sent testing equipment to Russia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Trump’s campaign vehemently denied the claims, dismissing Woodward as “a truly demented and deranged man.”
With the election just 23 days away, both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are making strategic moves to secure voter support. Harris’s lead in the polls, coupled with potential shifts in key demographics, sets the stage for a competitive race. Meanwhile, Trump’s aggressive immigration agenda and efforts to combat media narratives indicate a heated campaign ahead. As the election draws closer, the impact of these strategies on voter sentiment remains to be seen.
