Vice President Kamala Harris has surpassed Donald Trump in both physical health and mental sharpness, according to a recent survey. This marks a significant shift from the previous month when Trump held a 31-point lead over President Joe Biden on the same attributes. The majority of Americans now believe that Harris is more physically capable of serving as president than Trump. In terms of mental sharpness, Harris also led Trump by 9 percentage points. This surge for Harris effectively erases the lead Trump previously held over Biden in July.
The poll was conducted between August 9 and 13 by Langer Research Associates for ABC News and The Washington Post with fieldwork by Ipsos. It surveyed 2,336 adults and had a margin of error of 2 percent. Biden dropped out of the race for the White House in July and endorsed Harris after facing criticism for his age and apparent mental and physical frailty. Trump, at 78, will overtake Biden as the oldest U.S. president if elected. Harris, 59, will be 60 by the time of the election. The majority of respondents in the survey believe Harris is physically healthier than Trump, who is known for eating fast food and reportedly drinks 12 cans of Diet Coke a day. Harris, on the other hand, works out daily.
In terms of mental sharpness, Trump has faced criticism for his rambling speeches and incoherent statements, with some critics speculating about his mental health. Trump has attacked Harris as having an “extremely low IQ,” while others have criticized her ability to speak unscripted. Despite this, the survey indicates that more voters believe Harris is mentally sharper than Trump. In broader polling trends, Trump had been leading Biden in competitive swing states and making gains in traditionally Democratic-leaning states. However, since Harris became the presumptive Democratic nominee, the momentum has shifted in her favor, with strong leads in Democrat-leaning states as well as competitive swing states.
Harris’ campaign has generated massive fundraising and excitement, leading to a significant polling comeback for the Democrats. Harris is now strongly ahead in all Democrat-leaning states and leading in several swing states where Trump had previously held a lead. This surge for Harris comes after her nomination as the Democratic candidate, erasing Trump’s previous lead over Biden in physical health and mental sharpness. With the election approaching, Harris’ momentum and positive polling trends indicate a potential shift in the political landscape, positioning her as a strong contender for the White House. This survey highlights the changing perceptions of Harris and Trump among American voters, with Harris now seen as a more physically and mentally capable candidate compared to Trump.
