Poll: Voters, about the same support for candidates Trump and Harris on the economy

2024-09-20 21:10:38, Kosova & Bota CNA

Poll: Voters, about the same support for candidates Trump and Harris on the

A new poll shows that neither Kamala Harris nor Donald Trump have a decisive lead in public opinion on the economy, turning an issue that has until now been a strong point for the former president into a political duel.

According to the survey conducted by the Associated Press news agency and the Center for Public Affairs Research 'NORC', 40 percent of voters say that former President Trump would handle economic challenges better. The same number, 40%, think the same about Vice President Harris. The data is a warning signal to Mr. Trump, who has tried to link Ms. Harris to the state of the economy under President Joe Biden. The poll suggests Ms. Harris could escape the brunt of discontent over the economy, narrowing the race to what has so far been one of Mr. Trump's key advantages.

The economy has long been a weak spot for President Biden: An Associated Press-NORC poll conducted in late June, ahead of the Biden-Trump debate, found that about 60 percent of Americans disapprove of how he is handling the economy. had run the economy. Earlier this year, Americans were more likely to say that Trump's presidency helped the country in terms of cost of living and job creation, compared to President Biden's administration.

The latest poll showed the economy is one of the most important issues for about 80 percent of voters, edging out other top issues like health care and crime.

The consequences of inflation rising in 2022 to the highest level in four decades have taken an important place in this year's presidential race. Consumers are angry about high food bills, while high interest rates are financially straining those who have bought homes or vehicles. These appear to have mattered more to public opinion than the low unemployment rate of 4.2 percent and gains in the stock market.

According to the poll, only a third of voters say the state of the national economy is somewhat or very good, although they are more optimistic about their own situation, with about 60 percent saying their family finances are somewhat or very good. . The data for these indicators have not changed throughout this year, despite the drop in inflation.

The candidates have opposing ideas about the best way to improve the economy, but have not fully explained how their plans would be implemented.

Former President Trump suggests that economic growth would come from tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy, leading to increased investment, while a 20 percent tariff on imported goods would encourage investment to build US factories.

Ms Harris has campaigned for more benefits for the middle class, which would be sourced from increased taxes on corporations and the wealthy. She has warned that the tariffs proposed by Mr. Trump will lead to higher prices.

Also, the poll shows that for more than half of voters health care was a top concern, while roughly half said problems with crime, immigration, abortion and gun control were top priorities. Only about a third listed climate change as a top issue, while about a quarter said so about the war between Israel and Hamas.

The survey with 1771 registered voters was conducted from September 12-16./ VOA