Trump Less Popular Than Kamala?
David Axelrod, a Democratic strategist, recently weighed in on the upcoming presidential race, suggesting that former President Donald Trump faces significant challenges if the election hinges solely on candidate popularity.
In a conversation with CNN’s John Berman, Axelrod stated, “This election is going to be extremely difficult for Trump. It’s clear that many voters have a well-formed opinion of him, and if this race is solely about who is more popular, Trump is likely to come up short.”
Axelrod also highlighted that the Democratic strategy appears to be centered on diminishing the reputation of Vice President Kamala Harris’s opponent. He pointed out that Harris, while still working to establish her image, benefits from the fact that she remains less defined to the public compared to Trump, who is already a well-known figure. Harris has made strides in improving her public perception, but Axelrod acknowledged that the race remains very tight.
Contrastingly, Axelrod mentioned that Trump’s campaign struggles with the challenge of rebranding or redefining him. “Trump doesn’t seem inclined to reinvent himself, and his campaign often focuses on attacking his opponents with fervor,” Axelrod observed. He anticipated a particularly intense and contentious final stretch of the campaign, advising that residents in key battleground states brace for a surge in negative ads and rhetoric.
Recent polling data reflects a dynamic race, with Vice President Harris’s favorability improving significantly. Her current net favorability stands at 1.5 percentage points, a notable recovery from her earlier position of negative 18.3 points. In comparison, Trump’s net favorability has also improved slightly but remains negative at -8.8 points.
Responding to Axelrod’s analysis, a Trump campaign spokesperson argued that Trump is leading in crucial battleground states because voters are seeking a return to policies that support American values, rather than the progressive agenda championed by Harris and President Biden.
As the race tightens, particularly in pivotal states, the outcome remains uncertain, with both candidates working vigorously to sway undecided voters and consolidate their bases.
