Vice President Kamala Harris clinched a slim lead over former President Donald Trump nationally, despite lagging behind him on top issues for voters, a new poll found.
Vice President Kamala Harris clinched a slim lead over former President Donald Trump nationally, despite lagging behind him on top issues for voters, a new poll found.
Harris nabbed 49% support to Trump’s 45% in a one-on-one matchup nationally and saw her advantage slip to 47% to 44% when independent candidates were added to the mix, with hopeful Robert F. Knnedy Jr. clocking in at 5% among registered voters, according to a -ABC News-Ipsos poll.
For comparison, back in July, the poll pegged Trump at 43%, President Biden at 42% and Kennedy at 9%.
The finding corroborates the majority of recent head-to-head national polling. Polls have given mixed results as to whether or not independent contenders help or hurt Harris.
A melange of polling has shown the contest tightening markedly since Biden abruptly withdrew from the race on July 21 and passed the baton to Harris.
Despite Harris’ lead nationally, Trump garnered higher marks from voters on key issues behind their votes.
This includes the economy (46% to 37%), inflation (45% to 36%), immigration (46% to 36%), crime and safety (42% to 39%) and the Israel-Hamas war (38% to 33%).
Harris had the advantage on safeguarding democracy (43% to 37%), health care (43% to 36%), abortion (45% to 33%), gun violence (42% to 37%), Supreme Court appointments (42% to 37%), and race relations (45% to 31%).
