Harris Faces Tough Polling Numbers As She Trails Biden And Clinton In 2024 Race

Kamala Harris is struggling to gain ground in her presidential race against President Donald Trump, with polling numbers that are weaker than those of Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton at similar points in their campaigns. According to Real Clear Polling (RCP) data from August 31, 2024, Harris is leading Trump by only 1.8 points nationally, a significant drop from the leads held by Biden and Clinton in the previous two election cycles.

In 2016, Hillary Clinton was ahead of Trump by 4.6 points at the end of August, while Joe Biden had a 6.3-point lead in 2020. Despite their stronger positions, Clinton lost the election, and Biden’s win was by narrow margins in several key states. Harris’s smaller lead suggests that she could be in a vulnerable position, especially as Trump has a history of defying polling expectations.

The Electoral College outlook mirrors this tight race, with Harris leading by just two electoral votes in RCP’s current projection. This razor-thin margin highlights the potential for another close election in a state like Michigan, which has played a crucial role in recent elections.

Harris’s limited campaign activity has not helped her polling situation. She has conducted only one significant interview as the Democratic nominee, where she attempted to address concerns about her shifting positions on key issues. However, her reputation as the most left-leaning Senator, according to a 2019 GovTrack ranking, continues to be a point of contention.

As the race heats up, Harris will need to find a way to improve her standing in the polls and address the challenges that have left her trailing behind where Biden and Clinton stood at this stage in their campaigns.