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Public Opinion Divided on Leadership of Trump and Harris, Economist/YouGov Poll Finds

A new Economist/YouGov poll has brought to light the divided opinions among U.S. adults and registered voters regarding the leadership qualities of former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. Conducted from August 25-27, 2024, the poll surveyed 1,549 adults, including 1,363-1,365 registered voters, revealing a considerable gap in how the two leaders are perceived.

The poll indicates that a majority of respondents see Trump as a strong leader. Specifically, 56 percent of all adults believe Trump exhibits strong leadership, with 37 percent considering him “very strong” and 19 percent “somewhat strong.” On the flip side, 44 percent view him as a weak leader, with 13 percent describing him as “somewhat weak” and 31 percent as “very weak.”

Registered voters echo this sentiment, with 54 percent describing Trump as a robust leader and 46 percent disagreeing. Notably, the poll shows that independents have an even higher regard for Trump’s leadership, with over six in ten independents viewing him as strong and 38 percent considering him weak.

In contrast, Vice President Kamala Harris is perceived less favorably in terms of leadership. A majority of 51 percent of U.S. adults view Harris as a weak leader, including 38 percent who see her as “very weak” and 13 percent as “somewhat weak.” Conversely, 49 percent of respondents believe Harris is a strong leader, with 24 percent viewing her as “very strong” and 25 percent as “somewhat strong.”

The perception among registered voters aligns with the overall findings. Among independents, a significant 58 percent lack confidence in Harris’s leadership abilities, labeling her as weak. Specifically, 41 percent of independents describe her as “very weak,” and 17 percent as “somewhat weak.” Only 13 percent view her as “very strong,” while 29 percent consider her “somewhat strong.”

The timing of the poll is significant, coming shortly after the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois, which was marked by notable divisions within the party. Anti-Harris, pro-Palestinian, and anti-Israel protesters were a prominent feature of the event, potentially impacting public perception of Harris’s leadership.

With a margin of error of ± 3.2 percentage points for both the overall sample and registered voters, the poll provides a reliable snapshot of public opinion. These findings underscore the stark differences in leadership perception between Trump and Harris, highlighting the potential challenges and advantages each may face in their political careers.

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