The Biden campaign is currently assessing Vice President Kamala Harris' prospects against Donald Trump in the upcoming election through head-to-head polling, as reported by The New York Times. The revelation marks a potential shift in strategy, with Biden's team scrutinizing Harris' potential:
The survey, which is being conducted this week and was commissioned by the Biden campaign's analytics team, is believed to be the first time since the debate that Mr. Biden's aides have sought to measure how the vice president would fare at the top of the ticket. It was described by three people who are informed about it and insisted on anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the information.
They did not specify why the survey was being conducted or what the campaign planned to do with the results. It could be read as the team gathering information to present a case to the president that his path forward is slim, or to argue that Mr. Biden is still the strongest standard-bearer for his party.
The effort comes as some longtime aides and advisers to Mr. Biden are said to have become increasingly convinced that he will have to step aside from the campaign, and in recent days have been trying to come up with ways to persuade him that he should, The New York Times reported on Thursday. A growing number of prominent lawmakers have called for Mr. Biden to drop out or suggest he should reconsider his plans to run.
While some of Mr. Biden's top aides have quietly argued that Ms. Harris could not win the election, donors and other outside supporters of the vice president believe she might be in a stronger position after the debate, and could be a more energetic communicator of the party's message.
Polling Insights: Harris vs. Trump
The polls present a varied landscape for Harris. In certain polls, she outperforms Biden, yet she generally lags behind the presumptive GOP nominee. Here are some key results:
- Ipsos/ABC News: Trump: 47% | Harris: 49% (+2)
- Emerson College Poll: Trump: 49% (+6) | Harris: 42.8%
- The Hill's Polling Average Unskewer: Trump: 45.6% (+2) | Harris: 43.9%
These figures indicate a complex picture with Harris showing promise in some areas but facing challenges in others.
Mixed Reactions from Key Figures
Jen Psaki, former White House press secretary and current MSNBC host, has expressed mixed feelings about a potential Harris candidacy. While she is open to the idea, she harbors concerns about Harris' ability to secure a victory. Of course, Psaki attributes Harris' challenges to deep-seated issues within the electorate, namely racism and sexism.
However, it's crucial to consider other factors that might influence Harris' electability. Critics often point to her perceived awkwardness, her policy positions and instances of plagiarism as potential hurdles.
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