Kamala Harris’s efforts to paint Donald Trump as the extreme candidate in the presidential race have fallen flat, according to the latest national poll from the New York Times and Siena College. Instead, Trump has successfully tied Harris to the policies of her boss, Joe Biden, and positioned himself as the moderate in the election.
The poll found that less than a third of likely voters consider Trump too conservative, while nearly half of respondents said he’s “not too far either way.” In contrast, 47% of voters believe Harris is too progressive, with only 41% saying she’s not too far either way. These numbers hold true across most demographics, with the exception of voters under 30.
One key area where Trump has gained an advantage is on the issue of abortion. While Harris has endorsed legislation that would federally codify abortion up until birth, Trump has taken a more moderate stance, promising to veto any federal bill restricting abortion. This approach has earned him criticism from social conservatives, but has also helped him appeal to voters who support safe and rare abortion.
Voters also don’t buy Harris’s attempts to distance herself from Biden’s failures. A majority of likely voters polled said they believe Harris should receive some blame for rising prices, the border crisis, and the Afghanistan withdrawal. And when asked about the next president, most voters said they want a major change from Biden, with Trump seen as the candidate who can deliver that change.
The economy remains the top issue for voters, and Trump still holds a double-digit lead over Harris on this issue. Harris only leads on issues related to addressing racial issues and bringing the country together, as well as abortion and healthcare, where her lead is slim.
Despite her attempts to pivot away from her past policies, Harris’s allies have let slip that she remains committed to her progressive agenda. Her policy proposals on her website reveal a series of contradictions, with Harris trying to have it both ways on issues like tax cuts and border security.
As the debate approaches, Trump has an opportunity to expose Harris’s accusations as admissions of guilt. By highlighting her record and policies, Trump can cement the narrative that Harris is the extreme candidate who will double down on the failed policies of the past four years.
