New Delhi: With just three months remaining until the US Presidential election, Democratic nominee Kamala Harris has taken a decisive lead over Republican contender Donald Trump in three critical swing states: Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. According to a recent poll conducted by the New York Times and Siena College between August 5 and August 9, Harris is ahead by four percentage points, garnering 50% support compared to Trumps 46% among 1,973 registered voters across these states.The polls were conducted in the week following Kamala Harriss announcement of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate. The margin of error for the poll was reported as plus or minus 4.8 percentage points in Michigan, 4.2 points in Pennsylvania, and 4.3 points in Wisconsin.Shift in momentum as Harris gains groundThis polling data marks a significant shift from earlier surveys where Donald Trump was either tied with or leading former Democratic candidate Joe Biden. Harriss surge in these battleground states comes on the heels of Bidens endorsement, amid growing concerns about his cognitive abilities and overall fitness to govern. Democrats are optimistic about Harriss candidacy, particularly after Biden stepped aside, giving her a clear path to lead the party.Harris has seen a notable rise in favorability, especially in Pennsylvania, where she has gained 10 points. Independent voters now perceive her as more intelligent and temperamentally suited to govern. Despite this, Democrats recognize the need to more effectively communicate Harriss vision for the country. A previous poll highlighted that 60% of registered voters believe Trump has a clear vision for the nation, compared to 53% for Harris.Key issues and voter preferencesWhile Trump still leads on issues like the economy and immigration, Harris holds a 24-point advantage on the topic of abortion, which could be a crucial factor in mobilizing voters in swing states such as Arizona and Wisconsin. Additionally, Harris is viewed more favorably on the issue of democracy, particularly as Trump continues to face legal challenges related to the 2020 election and the January 6 Capitol riots.
