A CNN survey conducted after the presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump revealed decisive results favoring the current Vice President. The former President and the Democratic candidate had their first presidential debate with ABC in Philadelphia this past Tuesday. Key topics included immigration, abortion, the U.S. economy, and ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine.
An impressive 63% of registered voters who watched the debate believed Harris outperformed Trump, while only 37% thought otherwise. The poll, which surveyed 605 people nationwide, indicates a significant shift from pre-debate expectations when voters were evenly split 50-50 on which candidate would perform better.
Moreover, the results show that 96% of Harris supporters felt she did a better job, whereas 69% of Trump supporters believed the former president won. The survey, conducted by SSRS for CNN, makes it clear that the findings represent only those who watched the debate, not the entire electorate.
Impact on Candidate Perceptions
The debate positively influenced perceptions of Harris as a presidential candidate. Before the debate, only 39% of respondents had a favorable opinion of her, but this number rose to 45% afterward. Conversely, opinions about Trump remained largely unchanged, with 39% favorable and 51% unfavorable.
Despite the favorable results for Harris, a majority of viewers (82%) said the debate would not affect their voting decision. Only 4% stated that the event changed their opinion on whom to support.
In addition to CNN's data, other polls and political analysts also attributed the victory to Harris. PredictIt indicated that the Vice President led Trump by ten points following the debate. The Trafalgar Group reported that 55.3% of voters in key states saw Harris as the winner, while 42.5% supported Trump. A focus group by The Washington Post showed that 23 out of 25 participants viewed Harris as the victor.
Political analysts such as Chris Wallace and Ian Bremmer agreed that Harris had a superior performance, while conservative commentator Frank Luntz admitted that "Trump had a bad night."
The first presidential debate of this campaign occurred in June between President Joe Biden and candidate Trump. It was a historic event, remembered for Biden's lapses and the confidence displayed by Trump. A few days after the debate, Biden withdrew from seeking a second term and endorsed his Vice President.
Kamala Harris emerged from the debate on September 10th with a strengthened image among voters who saw her in action, solidifying her position against Trump in the race for the White House. While most voters seem resolute in their decisions, the debate's impact could be crucial for those still undecided.
FAQs Regarding Kamala Harris and Trump Debate
Below are some frequently asked questions about the recent debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, based on the latest poll results and public perception.
How did Kamala Harris perform in the debate according to polls?
According to a CNN poll, 63% of registered voters who watched the debate believed Kamala Harris outperformed Donald Trump.
What topics were discussed during the debate?
The debate covered crucial topics such as immigration, abortion, the U.S. economy, and ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine.
Did the debate change public opinion about the candidates?
The debate positively influenced public perception of Kamala Harris, increasing her favorable rating from 39% to 45%. Opinions on Donald Trump remained largely unchanged.
Will the debate affect voting decisions?
Despite the positive results for Harris, 82% of viewers said the debate would not influence their voting decision. Only 4% indicated a change in opinion on whom to support.