Vice President Kamala Harris has experienced a surprising surge in approval ratings since launching her presidential campaign in July, leaving many in the political sphere scratching their heads. A recent NBC News poll revealed that Harris’s approval rating has jumped 16 points in just two months, now standing at 48 percent.
This significant increase has prompted some to question what factors have contributed to this sudden shift. Digital strategist Greg Price pointed to a change in media coverage, suggesting that the press has played a significant role in shaping public perception. “The media machine has kicked into overdrive, and many Americans still trust the news,” Price noted. “Nothing about Kamala Harris has changed, but the way she’s being covered has.”
Despite maintaining her long-held stances on contentious issues such as reparations, prostitution, and immigration, and continuing to struggle with verbal gaffes and unclear responses to policy questions, Harris’s approval rating has seen a remarkable turnaround. This improvement coincides with a notable shift in the tone and tenor of media coverage.
In the past, the media had extensively reported on the internal conflicts and dysfunction within Harris’s vice presidential office, including allegations of mistreatment of employees and a toxic work environment. However, since her presidential campaign launch, the media’s narrative has undergone a significant transformation, with some outlets portraying her in a more favorable light.
A study by the Media Research Center found that television networks have provided Harris with overwhelmingly positive coverage, with 84 percent of stories featuring her being positive. In contrast, the same study found that coverage of former President Donald Trump was 89 percent negative. The study also noted that ABC’s World News Tonight gave Harris a positive spin in the lead-up to her debate with Trump, while Trump received negative coverage.
The media’s about-face in covering Harris has not gone unnoticed, and it remains to be seen how this will impact voter perceptions. A recent poll found that six out of ten Americans believe the establishment media is responsible for spreading misinformation, and nearly three-quarters think the media contributes to polarization.
