Harris’s Debate Performance: A Game Changer
The cross tabs of the CNN poll of the debate have been released. The data are VERY revealing and suggest that Harris was incredibly effective at changing minds. When looking at these numbers, remember that this poll was heavily skewed towards Republicans with an R+6. You can see this in the “women” category—that initial 42% favorability among women is nonsense. But what matters here are the massive shifts, all in Harris’s favor…
Overall Favorability
Harris made significant gains in overall favorability:
- Favorable: 39% > 45%
- Unfavorable: 50% > 44%
Favorability Among Seniors (65+)
Harris also saw improvements among seniors:
- Favorable: 39% > 47%
- Unfavorable: 50% > 41%
Favorability Among Independents
Independents showed a huge shift in favor of Harris:
- Favorable: 30% > 48%
- Unfavorable: 47% > 39%
Favorability Among Moderates
Moderates also leaned more towards Harris after the debate:
- Favorable: 38% > 48%
- Unfavorable: 43% > 37%
Favorability Among Men
Even though Harris still has work to do with men, there was a noticeable improvement:
- Favorable: 35% > 43%
- Unfavorable: 52% > 47%
Favorability Among Women
Women showed increased support for Harris:
- Favorable: 42% > 47%
- Unfavorable: 48% > 42%
Understanding Problems Facing People Like You (Overall)
Harris is seen as more understanding of everyday problems:
- Harris: 39% > 44%
- Trump: 43% > 40%
Understanding Problems Facing People Like You (Under $50k/Year Income)
For those earning under $50k/year, Harris’s understanding improved significantly:
- Harris: 36% > 46%
- Trump: 43% > 34%
Conclusion
The only place Harris remained underwater was with men’s favorability, but it still represented a gigantic shift from -17 to -4.
No wonder Harris wants another debate!
You can draw your own conclusions about what this might mean for November. However, if you’d like an optimistic analysis from Dave Trotter, a voting trends expert in Florida, I recommend his video below…
