Harris Seen as Stronger Candidate Compared to Biden. But "Is She Strong Enough?"
Vice President Harris holds certain advantages over Trump, though she faces challenges in making a strong impression in other areas. For more details, read the full article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Vice President Kamala Harris holds certain advantages over former President Donald Trump, but also faces significant challenges.
After President Joe Biden decided not to seek re-election in the 2024 presidential race—a decision likely influenced by poor poll standings and a notably poor debate performance against Trump—Harris has emerged as the Democratic Party's frontrunner.
The California native, who is a former prosecutor, senator, and a 2020 presidential candidate, has now taken over the Biden campaign’s infrastructure. She has also garnered most of the necessary support to secure the Democratic Party’s nomination at the National Convention next month.
Harris is perceived as an improvement over Biden. According to a recent NPR/PBS/Marist poll, Trump leads by only one point, well within the survey’s 3.5 percentage point margin of error. A Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Tuesday shows Harris at 44% versus Trump’s 42%, within that poll’s three-point margin of error. Additionally, a Morning Consult poll indicates Harris trails Trump by just two points, compared to Biden’s previous six-point gap.
The choice of her running mate remains uncertain. According to the Associated Press, top contenders include Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro.
The crucial question is whether Harris can beat Trump. There are strong arguments on both sides, though she appears to face more disadvantages.
Positively, Democrats are eager to leave behind recent divisions and rally around Harris. With the national convention approaching and the election just over 100 days away, Harris, as the first woman, Black, and South Asian vice president, inspires considerable enthusiasm. Her campaign raised $81 million within 24 hours of Biden’s announcement, demonstrating robust support.
At 59, Harris addresses concerns about age and cognitive performance compared to Biden, who is 81. Trump, who is 78, also faces age-related issues, given his own gaffes.
Despite his steadfast MAGA base, Trump remains broadly unpopular. The Hill and Decision Desk HQ polling average indicates that 53% of Americans view him unfavorably. His losses in the popular vote in both 2016 and 2020, along with his association with the Capitol riot and various legal troubles, render him a vulnerable candidate. Democrats believe Harris can turn the election into a referendum on Trump.
Harris has been a strong advocate for reproductive rights since the Supreme Court overturned Roe vs. Wade in 2022. This is a compelling campaign issue for Democrats, particularly since the abortion-rights side has won every statewide vote on related measures. Her potential to become the first female president intensifies the debate on abortion rights.
On the downside, Harris struggles with low favorability ratings. With 56% of Americans viewing her unfavorably, her ratings are worse than Trump’s, indicating limited broad appeal. An Economist/YouGov poll revealed that twice as many independents viewed her unfavorably as favorably.
Harris’s 2020 presidential campaign was lackluster; she struggled to gain momentum and withdrew before the Iowa caucuses. Critics worry that these issues—questions about her authenticity, voter connection, and internal campaign conflicts—might resurface.
Her candidacy also raises concerns about whether America is prepared to elect a Black woman as president. While Obama broke racial barriers, sexism persists. Harris faces attacks that her supporters argue are rooted in a double standard, contributing to her low approval ratings.
Immigration continues to be a significant vulnerability. Because of her role in addressing migration from Central America, Harris is closely linked to this contentious issue. Despite some improvements, unauthorized border crossings remain problematic, and Trump and the GOP are likely to exploit this association.
Harris’s path to the presidency is supported by party unity, her unique candidacy, and Trump’s vulnerabilities. However, her low favorability ratings, past campaign issues, potential voter biases, and immigration challenges present considerable obstacles. Given these factors, Trump currently appears to have the edge.
James del Carmen contributed to this report for TROIB News
After President Joe Biden decided not to seek re-election in the 2024 presidential race—a decision likely influenced by poor poll standings and a notably poor debate performance against Trump—Harris has emerged as the Democratic Party's frontrunner.
The California native, who is a former prosecutor, senator, and a 2020 presidential candidate, has now taken over the Biden campaign’s infrastructure. She has also garnered most of the necessary support to secure the Democratic Party’s nomination at the National Convention next month.
Harris is perceived as an improvement over Biden. According to a recent NPR/PBS/Marist poll, Trump leads by only one point, well within the survey’s 3.5 percentage point margin of error. A Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Tuesday shows Harris at 44% versus Trump’s 42%, within that poll’s three-point margin of error. Additionally, a Morning Consult poll indicates Harris trails Trump by just two points, compared to Biden’s previous six-point gap.
The choice of her running mate remains uncertain. According to the Associated Press, top contenders include Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro.
The crucial question is whether Harris can beat Trump. There are strong arguments on both sides, though she appears to face more disadvantages.
Positively, Democrats are eager to leave behind recent divisions and rally around Harris. With the national convention approaching and the election just over 100 days away, Harris, as the first woman, Black, and South Asian vice president, inspires considerable enthusiasm. Her campaign raised $81 million within 24 hours of Biden’s announcement, demonstrating robust support.
At 59, Harris addresses concerns about age and cognitive performance compared to Biden, who is 81. Trump, who is 78, also faces age-related issues, given his own gaffes.
Despite his steadfast MAGA base, Trump remains broadly unpopular. The Hill and Decision Desk HQ polling average indicates that 53% of Americans view him unfavorably. His losses in the popular vote in both 2016 and 2020, along with his association with the Capitol riot and various legal troubles, render him a vulnerable candidate. Democrats believe Harris can turn the election into a referendum on Trump.
Harris has been a strong advocate for reproductive rights since the Supreme Court overturned Roe vs. Wade in 2022. This is a compelling campaign issue for Democrats, particularly since the abortion-rights side has won every statewide vote on related measures. Her potential to become the first female president intensifies the debate on abortion rights.
On the downside, Harris struggles with low favorability ratings. With 56% of Americans viewing her unfavorably, her ratings are worse than Trump’s, indicating limited broad appeal. An Economist/YouGov poll revealed that twice as many independents viewed her unfavorably as favorably.
Harris’s 2020 presidential campaign was lackluster; she struggled to gain momentum and withdrew before the Iowa caucuses. Critics worry that these issues—questions about her authenticity, voter connection, and internal campaign conflicts—might resurface.
Her candidacy also raises concerns about whether America is prepared to elect a Black woman as president. While Obama broke racial barriers, sexism persists. Harris faces attacks that her supporters argue are rooted in a double standard, contributing to her low approval ratings.
Immigration continues to be a significant vulnerability. Because of her role in addressing migration from Central America, Harris is closely linked to this contentious issue. Despite some improvements, unauthorized border crossings remain problematic, and Trump and the GOP are likely to exploit this association.
Harris’s path to the presidency is supported by party unity, her unique candidacy, and Trump’s vulnerabilities. However, her low favorability ratings, past campaign issues, potential voter biases, and immigration challenges present considerable obstacles. Given these factors, Trump currently appears to have the edge.
James del Carmen contributed to this report for TROIB News
