Not sure about polls: Is Kamala Harris a weaker candidate as compared to Hillary Clinton?

Unlike Hillary Clinton, Kamala Harris doesn’t face personal scandals, but she's struggled to define herself to voters. Despite the polling challenges, some strategists see Harris as performing better than expected.

Kamala Harris is trailing behind both Hillary Clinton’s 2016 and Joe Biden’s 2020 performances in the US Election 2024 survey polls. According to FiveThirtyEight, Harris is currently ahead by 2.6 points against Donald Trump, compared to Clinton's 5.1-point lead in 2016 and Biden's 7.6-point advantage in 2020. Similarly, RealClearPolling shows her lead at 2.2 points, significantly lower than her Democratic predecessors at this stage in their campaigns.

Limited Press Engagement Hurts Campaign

Experts like Steve Schier suggest Harris' limited press engagement has been a challenge for her campaign. While she performed adequately in the first debate against Trump, 28 per cent of voters still feel they need to know more about her, a number unchanged post-debate. Schier remarked to Newsweek, “Her media strategy of avoiding press conferences has not helped define her.” Harris’ campaign is reportedly pushing for another debate, but Trump has not agreed to it.

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Momentum Despite Challenges

Despite these polling struggles, some strategists see Harris in a strong position. Matt Bennett noted that Harris inherited a tough campaign but has built significant momentum, especially after Biden’s endorsement. "The headwinds are still howling, but she has built enough momentum to overcome them," Bennett told Newsweek. Tom Bonier, another strategist, added that her focus on economic opportunity has resonated well with voters.

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FAQs:

Q1. Is Kamala Harris facing the same hurdle what Hillary Clinton was in 2016?
A1. No, Harris doesn't face major personal scandals like Clinton’s email controversy. However, she has faced challenges in introducing herself to the electorate and differentiating herself from Trump.

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Q2. What is the main challenge Harris is facing in her campaign?
A2. Harris has struggled to define herself to voters, with many still wanting to learn more about her.
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