Poll shows increase in Harris’s favorability following Biden’s withdrawal from race

Vice President Kamala Harris is experiencing a surge in her likability rating among Americans just a few days after President Joe Biden exited the presidential race and supported her, as per an ABC News/Ipsos poll released on Sunday.

The vice president’s likability rating has risen to 43%, with a disapproval rating of 42%, according to the ABC News/Ipsos poll conducted using Ipsos’ KnowledgePanel. In an ABC News/Ipsos poll released a week ago, Harris’ likability rating was 35%, while 46% viewed her unfavorability.

Following Biden’s July 20 announcement that he would terminate his reelection campaign, most prominent Democrats, including former President Barack Obama, endorsed Harris’ run and she hit the campaign trail.

The vice president, who has secured commitments from enough delegates to become the presumptive nominee if they all honor their commitments when voting, as per ABC News reporting, saw a significant increase in her likability rating among the politically critical group, independents.

Forty-four percent of independents have a positive view of Harris, up from just 28% a week ago. Her unfavorability rating among independents is now 40%, a slight decrease from 47% last week

There have been no talks of another Democrat challenging Harris for the nomination and a small majority of Americans, 52%, believe she should be the Democratic nominee, the poll revealed. This percentage rises to 86% among Democrats, compared to 51% of independents and only 20% of Republicans.

Harris has an advantage over former President Donald Trump in terms of the level of enthusiasm Americans have for them as candidates. Forty-eight percent of Americans say they would be enthusiastic if Harris becomes the Democratic nominee. Fewer, 39%, express enthusiasm about Trump being the Republican nominee.

Enthusiasm for Harris as the Democratic nominee is highest among Democrats (88%) and Black Americans (70%). Forty-nine percent of independents show enthusiasm for Harris, while only 31% of independents are enthusiastic about Trump.

Trump’s likability rating has slightly decreased from 40%, measured in the week following the attempted assassination and the Republican National Convention, to 36% in the most recent poll.

Trump’s likability rating among independents also saw a decrease in the past week. Twenty-seven percent of independents have a favorable view of Trump, down from 35% last week.