This week, Vice President Kamala Harris experienced a notable increase in her polling numbers.
The ABC News/Ipsos poll reveals that her popularity has jumped significantly, coinciding with a public discussion on who might join her as the vice-presidential candidate.
Among the potential VP picks, Senator Mark Kelly from Arizona is standing out. The poll shows Kelly with the highest favorability rating compared to other candidates.
He is seen positively by 22% of respondents and negatively by only 12%. This is quite impressive given that many voters are unfamiliar with the other contenders.
In contrast, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who is better known, garners a mixed reaction with 29% favorable and 25% unfavorable views. Governors Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania and Andy Beshear of Kentucky also have positive ratings but are far from overwhelmingly popular.
Shapiro has a 17% favorable rating compared to 13% unfavorable, while Beshear is at 13% favorable and 9% unfavorable.
Governor Gavin Newsom, a fellow Californian, is struggling with a more negative perception. Only 21% view him positively, while 33% hold a negative view.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, despite his viral fame, has not made a significant impact, with only 13% of those surveyed holding a positive opinion.
Other potential candidates like Roy Cooper of North Carolina and JB Pritzker of Illinois have low recognition among voters, with their favorability ratings hovering around 7%.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, though not as widely known, has a mixed reception, with 20% of respondents viewing her positively and 21% negatively.
Kevin Madden, a Republican strategist, sees Kelly as a potential challenge for Republicans.
Matt Wolking, another strategist, agrees that Kelly and Shapiro are strong candidates but notes that choosing Kelly would open up a Senate seat in Arizona, a key battleground state.
Harris’ favorability has risen to 43%, an eight-point increase from last week, as reported by ABC News/Ipsos.
This improvement comes as President Biden officially ended his reelection campaign and endorsed Harris, who is now campaigning vigorously across the country.
One of the most significant changes in the recent polling is among independent voters.
Harris’ favorable rating among independents has surged to 44%, up from 28% a week ago, while her unfavorable rating has decreased from 47% to 40%. In comparison, Donald Trump’s favorability among independents has declined from 35% to 27%.
Harris vs. Trump in November
As the Democratic National Convention approaches, Harris is likely to face Trump in the November election. The current poll shows more enthusiasm for Harris compared to Trump, with 48% supporting Harris and 39% backing Trump.
Additionally, 52% of those surveyed believe Harris should be the Democratic nominee, and 86% of Democrats support her leading their ticket.
Public Perception of Biden’s Health
A separate YouGov/Times of London poll reveals that 30% of voters think Biden should step down and let Harris complete his term.
The poll also highlights concerns about a potential cover-up regarding Biden’s mental health, with 54% of respondents believing there was some effort to conceal the extent of his decline.
This poll surveyed 1,170 voters between July 22 and 23 and raises questions about the transparency of Biden’s health status.
The current political landscape is marked by Harris’ growing popularity and ongoing questions about the transparency of Biden’s health, setting the stage for an intriguing election season.
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