Staff Reports
In a surprising turn of events, former President Donald Trump is showing promising signs of capturing the independent voter demographic, according to recent polling data that reveals the tightening race between him and Kamala Harris. A survey from Marist College, in partnership with NPR and PBS News, indicates that Trump is winning over independents at an impressive rate. This is quite the shake-up, especially when independent voter registration has hit historic highs in the past few years.
The numbers are looking favorable for Trump, who reportedly leads Harris among independents by a slim margin of 49% to 46%. This is in stark contrast to a broader national poll from the New York Times and Siena that showed Trump with a 1% edge overall over Harris. Of course, one must consider that the Marist poll may not accurately reflect the true independent sentiment, as it appears to have significantly underrepresented this increasingly vital voting bloc. Gallup reported in January that a whopping 43% of American voters do not align with either major party, suggesting that Trump could wind up with a much stronger showing among independents than what is surveyed.
Trump went from leading by 6% to now tied.
Kamala was well spoken, prepared, and professional, toying with Trump.
Trump looked aged, erratic and confused.
Will we have a second debate?
Hope so!! pic.twitter.com/UqzEvMmk92— NYSoul (@NYSoul2x) September 11, 2024
The backdrop of this rollercoaster political climate includes President Joe Biden’s significant unpopularity. His approval rating hovers around a dismal 43%, leaving Harris grappling with the burden of Biden’s legacy as she attempts to chart her own course in the presidential arena. Harris seems to be struggling to distance herself from Biden, especially after an embarrassing social media snafu where critics pointed out she appeared to duplicate passages from Biden’s campaign proposals while rolling out her own “Issues” page. Transparency wasn’t exactly on the menu, as her past far-left stances from her 2019 presidential run are resurfacing and throwing her campaign into disarray.
Eyes are turning toward critical swing states as the race tightens further. Key battlegrounds like Michigan, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and North Carolina are projected to determine the ultimate winner. The political tide may have recently turned against Harris in North Carolina, where state courts disqualified Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. from the ballot, a blow to her hopes of leveraging his independent support. Meanwhile, in Michigan, Harris’s once-comfortable lead has dwindled to a precarious one-point advantage, a far cry from Biden’s nearly 3% win four years prior. It’s hard not to imagine Democrats kicking themselves for not choosing Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro as their vice presidential nominee, considering the tight race now taking shape.
The stage is set for the first presidential debate, which will be a pivotal moment for both candidates. Scheduled for Tuesday night, this forum offers Trump and Harris their first chance to engage directly with voters eager for answers. Polls suggest that around 70% of Americans are planning to tune in, while 23% bravely claim they will steer clear of the political spectacle altogether—a testament to the fatigue many voters feel as this election season drags on. Whether Harris can rise to the occasion or Trump will continue his upward trajectory remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the political landscape is drastically shifting.
