Can Kamala Harris beat Donald Trump? The VP is top choice to replace Joe Biden
President Biden has decided to step aside, so let’s evaluate VP Kamala Harris’ chances of beating Donald Trump.
Since President Biden’s disastrous debate performance in late June, Democratic strategists have been busy polling various possible candidates against Donald Trump to see how they compare to Biden’s numbers.
Among the names that have been bandied about to replace him is that of Vice President Kamala Harris. There are four months left before the presidential election, and the question is, can she gather enough momentum before then to defeat Trump?
More information
Can Kamala Harris beat Donald Trump?
A poll conducted by CNN a week after the debate showed that voters believe the Democrats will have a better chance at winning in November if Biden withdraws from the race and lets another candidate take his place.
Surveys since the debate, and particularly after the attempted assassination of Donald Trump, have consistently shown Trump leading over Biden, with the Republican leading by six points, 49% to 43%. However, the latest poll indicates that independent voters have grown more skeptical of both candidates, and this critical group of voters will determine the next President of the United States.
Among all the possible alternatives to Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris polls best, with one IPSOS poll showing her in a dead heat with the former president. However, further polls captured nearly a week after the attempted assassination show Trump with a lead over Harris.
How other possible Democrat candidates fared
Some strategists are concerned that Harris’ close association with President Biden could hurt her chances and that the party would be better off naming a nominee who can provide a fresh start. Various Democratic governors have gained strong approval in their home states, and the party has been quick to see how they are fair against Donald Trump.
A recent poll conducted by Big Village that asked Democratic voters who they would like to see on the ticket showed the favorites to be Kamala Harris and Michelle Obama. Other names, like JB Pritzker, the governor of Illinois, and Andy Basheer, the governor of Kentucky, rank much lower on the list, but it could be due to a lack of name recognition on the national level that places them at a disadvantage when compared to the party’s national leaders. If one of these lesser-known candidates were chosen, the Democratic Party would have a few months to present them to the country and convince the voters that they are trustworthy candidates for their support.