Harris Leads Slightly in Polls Post-Debate Analysis

Kamala Harris holds a slight lead in the polls, signaling potential Democratic optimism post-debate.

### Polling Insights: Harris Leads Post-Debate with Key Voter Dynamics
* 📊 A new Reuters Ipsos poll shows Kamala Harris ahead of Donald Trump by **five points**, marking a **slight increase in her lead** from previous months.
* 📉 While the margin is 47-42 post-debate, the movement is minimal compared to August, where Harris had a **four-point lead**, and July, where she was **up by two**.
* 🤔 The polling indicates that Harris's performance did not significantly change the overall race, reflecting the **current divided state of the nation**.
* 🧠 A notable shift in voter perception shows that **58% now view Harris as mentally sharp and capable of handling challenges**, while Trump's approval dropped to **46%**.
* 🗳 Undecided voters, often **younger and less informed**, remain a challenge for both candidates, with many **skeptical of Trump but still unfamiliar with Harris**.
* 📋 The Harris campaign is urged to provide **more distinctive policy proposals** that resonate with voters' **economic concerns**, rather than a long list of policies.
* 🔄 The potential for a second debate is seen as a **crucial opportunity for Harris to connect with voters**, while Trump's team weighs the **risks of participating again**.
* 👥 Trump's association with controversial figures like Laura Loomer raises questions about his **strategic choices to energize his base** over **broader voter appeal**.

A new national Reuters Ipsos poll has Harris ahead by five points. Let's take a look at that right now. CNN Terry Enten is here with much more. Harry, can you give us some context around that margin and the movement that you're seeing in polling post-debate? Yeah, I think it's rather important to point out that the Reuters Ipsos poll has actually been one of Harris's best. So, look, you get that five-point margin, right, that 47-42 that you mentioned post-debate, but that's actually not a lot of movement from where we were in August when Harris was up by four. Now, that is movement from where we were in late July when Harris was up by two. But the bottom line here is this, at least in the first polling that we're getting post this debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, maybe slight, slight, slight movement in Harris's direction, but not overwhelmingly so. So which I don't think

is really much of a surprise given the 50-50 nation we are right now. But the bottom line is, in the average of polls, Harris had a slight national lead. And at this particular point, I think she'll probably hold on to that, at least based upon this initial signal. Yeah. Didn't hurt her. Maybe. No, didn't. Also, it wasn't, you know, the nail in the coffin for a Donald Trump candidacy either, which is exactly what people expected with this debate in the 50-50 nation we are in right now. What is the biggest difference, though? You see in polls, these polls compared to those that came after the Biden Trump debate in June? Yeah, I mean, look, it all comes down to mental state and being able to deal with challenges. All right. So mental sharp. I can deal with challenges. Look at this. Back in the post-June debate, right. Look at that. 52% of voters said that,

In fact, Trump was mentally sharp. I can deal with challenges. Look at the Joe Biden number. It was just 26%. Now, look at the difference here. Look at this, 58% in the post-September debate. Paul said that Harris was mentally sharp and could deal with challenges. Trump's number actually dropped below 50%, down to just 46. So that 52 to 46. So this was the big change that I think a lot of Democrats are hoping for. When they switched out Biden for Harris, it came down to mental sharpness. And the bottom line is the clear majority of voters believe that Kamala Harris is mentally sharp and can deal with challenges. And the number for Trump that declined by six points between post-June and post-September, I think that's a very welcome sign for Democrats on the top line. Maybe not so much a movement nationally, but underneath the hood. I think Democrats really have to like what they see. In talking with people on

TV from the Harris campaign and then hearing from Democrats involved with the campaign. One of the things you hear is that everyone feels they did great in the debate. The question is, can it reach the undecided voters? Yeah, and I'm not sure they have an answer, at least not the answer they want yet. So it leads me to this question: What really is an undecided voter? Where are they and who are they? Yeah, well, look, part of the challenge here is that undecided voters are undecided because they're not really focused on this campaign. They are low-information voters. They tend to be younger. And likely, they didn't watch the debate. They may be seeing some social media on it, but they're hard-to-reach voters, and they may make the difference in this race. Are the undecided between the candidates or the undecided about whether they show up to vote? Well, I think a little of both. I think one important thing to note is

They probably have a pretty strong judgment about Donald Trump. They're skeptical about politics generally. They don't particularly like Trump, but they don't know very much about Kamala Harris. They're open to her, but they're also prepared to be disappointed by her as well. So a big task for the campaign is to continue to fill in the picture of her and particularly around sort of transactional issues about the economy. Like what? What is she going to do for me? On that note, one of the things you hear in the chattering class is, oh, you know, Kamala Harris needs more distinctive policy proposals. Is that what undecided voters want? Well, I don't know if you know, I don't think what she needs is a voluminous list of policies, but there may be a few signature policies that speak to the economic experience, quality of life experience of voters in which she wants to go deeper and drive with those voters to give a sense that, yeah, she gets it.

I think she might help out. I'll take a chance on her. But these voters are not going to be. This is not 2008, right? This is not. They're not going to be swept along here. They're going to grudgingly conclude that I'll take a chance on this, which is why the Harris team, I think, genuinely does want another debate, another chance to reach people who may not be paying attention. And the problem with her debate, John, performance, one of the problems with it is it came rather early in this. I mean, there's going to be an eternity between now and November. And so the other motivation for a second debate is it's a second chance to do well. And I think they're pretty confident she would. And I think Trump's people are like, you know what, this didn't benefit us very much. Why should we take the risk of doing another? Yeah, for all the arguing

that goes on out there inside a campaign. You do a debate. If he thinks it will help you, and you don't do it if you don't think it will help you. Full stop. Yes. You know, and that's, I think, the only analysis on the Trump team right now. They may change their mind because they think they need it, but I don't know if they'll change their mind. He may change his mind, and they keep goading him to try and change his mind by making it seem like he's not courageous enough to do another. I do want your take on the Laura Loomer thing. Donald Trump has been traveling the country with her. George Bush, when I covered him in 2000, used to say, You can judge the character of a man by the company he keeps. If Donald Trump is keeping company with this person who said just wildly racist things, yeah, you know, what? Does he get it wrong? anti-Semitic, by the way.

which is interesting, given Trump's rhetoric about that. I think in first of all, I don't pretend to live inside of Donald Trump's head, so I can't tell you exactly. But it may be that if there's a strategic reason, he's thinking, look, I got to get these people out who aren't particularly activated or I have to get my base out. And she speaks to that base and I don't really care what the rest of the world thinks. I'm speaking to these voters who may make the difference. And right now, this is a motivational race to try and get your base out. It's not a persuasion race. She can help persuade you. Look, he had all those influencers who are you know, there was a kind of exotic character to them, but they speak to like tens of millions of people. David Axelrod, next time, I promise there will be fireworks. Yes, please. Right. So I insist.

New poll reveals how voters are viewing Trump and Harris after the debate

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Harris's Slight Lead in Post-Debate Polling

A new Reuters Ipsos poll shows Kamala Harris ahead by five points, with a 47-42 margin post-debate.

The poll indicates minimal movement for Harris since August, with her national lead remaining slight.

The polling results suggest that the debate had a minor impact on both Harris and Donald Trump's candidacies, reflecting the current 50-50 split in the nation.

The Impact of Debates on Voter Perception

Trump's mental sharpness was questioned, with his approval rating dropping from 52% to 46% after the September debate.

Kamala Harris's perceived mental sharpness and ability to handle challenges led to a shift in voter support, with her approval rising to 58%.

Undecided voters, often low-information and younger, are seen as a crucial factor in the election, making it challenging for the campaigns to reach them.

Kamala Harris's Challenge with Undecided Voters

Undecided voters have a skeptical view of politics and are not particularly fond of Trump, while being open yet cautious about Kamala Harris.

The campaign's task is to provide a clearer picture of Harris, especially regarding her economic policies, to gain voters' trust.

Harris's team is seeking a second debate to reach more people and improve her performance, while Trump's team is hesitant to take the risk of another debate.

Donald Trump's Campaign Strategy and Controversial Associations

Donald Trump's team is analyzing the need for a debate, with the possibility of changing their mind.

Trump has been traveling with Laura Loomer, who has made controversial and racist remarks.

The speaker questions the impact of Trump's associations on his character and judgment.

Trump's rhetoric may be strategically aimed at activating his base and getting out voters who could make a difference.

He seems to prioritize speaking to his supporters over seeking broader approval.

The presence of influential figures in his campaign also aims to reach and motivate tens of millions of people.