Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for Vice President, made a strong impression during the Vice Presidential debate on October 7th, with many viewers declaring her as the clear winner. However, despite her strong performance, recent polls show that voters still view President Donald Trump as a stronger candidate on eight crucial issues.
Harris, the first Black and South Asian woman on a major party’s presidential ticket, showcased her intelligence, poise, and experience during the debate. She held her ground against Vice President Mike Pence, effectively countering his arguments and laying out the Biden-Harris vision for the country. Her confident and assertive demeanor resonated with viewers, who praised her for her ability to stay composed under pressure.
But while Harris may have won the debate, it’s important to note that this alone is not enough to sway voters. In a recent poll by CNBC/Change Research, voters still see President Trump as a stronger candidate on eight crucial issues: the economy, job creation, national security, law and order, China trade, immigration, taxes, and the coronavirus pandemic.
One of the main reasons for this is Trump’s strong track record on the economy. Before the pandemic hit, the economy was booming, with record low unemployment rates and a thriving stock market. While the pandemic has caused a significant economic downturn, Trump’s supporters believe that he is best equipped to bring the economy back to its former strength. They see his business background and policies, such as tax cuts and deregulation, as key factors in driving economic growth.
In addition, President Trump is viewed as a strong leader when it comes to national security and law and order. His supporters believe that he has taken a tough stance on issues such as immigration and foreign policy, and has been successful in keeping the country safe. They also see his law and order policies, such as cracking down on protests and supporting law enforcement, as necessary for maintaining lawfulness and order in the country.
Another crucial issue where Trump is seen as a stronger candidate is China trade. Since taking office, he has been vocal about his tough stance on China, implementing tariffs and renegotiating trade deals. His supporters view this as a necessary step in protecting American jobs and industries from unfair competition. On the other hand, Harris and the Biden campaign have been criticized for being too soft on China and not having a clear plan for addressing trade imbalances.
The coronavirus pandemic has been a major factor in the upcoming election, and voters have different views on how the two candidates have handled it. While Harris has been critical of Trump’s handling of the pandemic, his supporters believe that he has taken decisive action by implementing travel bans and providing relief measures. They also see his push to reopen the economy as a necessary step in reviving the country’s economic growth.
While Harris has been vocal about addressing issues such as immigration and taxes, her policies are not as well-defined as Trump’s. This has made it difficult for voters to fully understand how she plans to address these issues if elected. On the other hand, Trump’s supporters see his policies, such as building a border wall and cutting taxes, as clear and effective solutions to these problems.
It is important to note that the polls do not reflect the entire population, and there are still many undecided voters who could potentially sway the election in either direction. However, it is clear that Trump’s supporters see him as a strong and experienced leader who has a clear vision for the country’s future. While Harris may have won the debate, she still has some ground to cover in convincing voters that she is the better candidate on these crucial issues.
In conclusion, Kamala Harris may have won the Vice Presidential debate, but that alone does not guarantee success in the upcoming election. While she showcased her strengths and gained the support of many viewers, there are still crucial issues where voters see President Trump as a stronger candidate. As the election draws closer, both candidates will need to continue to make their case to the American people and address these issues in order to secure their votes.