Voters prefer former President Trump on the economy and immigration, but Vice President Harris is making headway on these issues in the first Power Rankings Issues Tracker since she became the Democratic nominee. The results show that voters prefer Harris to Biden on major issues in the race, although she lags behind Trump on the economy and immigration. Harris also leads Trump on honesty, temperament, and mental soundness, and she is expected to lay out her agenda at the Democratic National Convention next week. The strategy of presenting Harris as a blend of Biden and more liberal policies from her 2019 presidential bid seems to be resonating with voters.
Republicans have emphasized Harris’ more liberal stances on issues such as decriminalizing border crossings and the Green New Deal, painting her as a dangerous choice for the presidency. At the same time, they highlight Harris’ alignment with Biden and his policies, particularly on rising prices and border control issues. Despite these efforts, voters are still uncertain about where Harris stands on key issues. Trump has aimed to portray a Harris presidency as a continuation of Biden’s policies, tapping into dissatisfaction with the current administration among some Americans.
The focus on key issues in the presidential race remains on the economy, immigration, and abortion, according to the latest national surveys. Trump maintains a strong lead on immigration, while Harris has gained ground on the economy, particularly as concerns about inflation have eased in July. Harris also holds a significant advantage over Trump on abortion policy and has leads on health care, preserving democracy, and climate change. The former president’s stance on abortion, leaving it up to the states, contrasts with Harris’ vocal opposition to restrictions on abortion rights.
Harris has erased Trump’s earlier advantage on the age issue, with voters now viewing Trump as “too old” to run for president by a significant margin. Harris also leads on honesty, temperament, and mental soundness, building on Biden’s previous margins on these qualities. Trump, meanwhile, maintains a slight lead on strong leadership but does not lead on any other candidate traits. The shift in perception on age reflects a change in Democrats’ image as a party, with age no longer being a major concern for Harris as it was for Biden earlier in the race.
The Democratic National Convention, taking place in Chicago, will feature speeches from Harris, Walz, President Biden, and other prominent figures in the party. The convention kicks off with special coverage on Fox News Channel, providing insights into the candidates’ positions and strategies as the race intensifies. As the election approaches, the focus remains on key issues such as the economy, immigration, and abortion, with both candidates vying for voter support on these critical topics. Despite differing stances, the campaigns are working to present clear agendas to voters and secure their backing in the upcoming election.
