Despite political pundits declaring Vice President Kamala Harris a victor in Tuesday evening’s highly anticipated presidential debate, post-debate polling and focus groups suggest that former President Donald Trump either gained ground or held his own in key areas, particularly among undecided voters.
The 90-minute debate, hosted by ABC News, saw Harris and Trump engage in spirited exchanges on topics ranging from the economy to foreign policy. While Harris was praised for landing several pointed criticisms of Trump’s presidency, the former president often deflected, rambling in some of his responses and quarreling with moderators David Muir and Linsey Davis, as well as Harris.
A CNN flash poll conducted immediately after the debate showed Harris improving her favorability ratings, with 45% of respondents viewing her favorably compared to 44% unfavorably. Before the debate, Harris had been underwater in her approval ratings, sitting at 39% favorable and 50% unfavorable. This was seen as a win for Harris among analysts, who viewed the debate as an opportunity for her to connect with voters and elevate her standing.
Trump, however, appeared to maintain a steady base of support, with his favorability shifting slightly from 41% to 39% and his unfavorable rating dipping by one point to 51%. While these numbers suggest a slight decline in his favorability, Trump’s resilience in key policy areas—particularly the economy—told a more complex story.
On the issue of the economy, Trump made gains. Post-debate polling revealed that 55% of respondents preferred Trump to handle the economy compared to 35% for Harris, an improvement over pre-debate numbers, which had Trump at 53% to Harris’ 37%. Economic concerns have consistently been a strong point for Trump, and his debate performance appeared to reinforce voter confidence in his handling of the issue.
A headline from *The New York Times* echoed the ambiguity many voters felt following the debate, stating, “Pundits Said Harris Won the Debate. Undecided Voters Weren’t So Sure.” The article highlighted interviews with undecided voters who were not fully swayed by Harris’ performance, with several expressing that they were leaning toward Trump following the debate. Some voters felt that Harris, while polished and prepared, did not provide enough substance to earn their full support.
In a Reuters article that Trump himself reshared on social media, the sentiment was similar. The piece featured interviews with ten undecided voters, six of whom said they leaned toward Trump after the debate, while three favored Harris, and one remained undecided.
While Harris’ performance may have won over some viewers and boosted her favorability, Trump’s ability to hold steady—particularly on the economy—signals that the race remains competitive. As the 2024 presidential election draws nearer, both candidates will likely continue to court undecided voters, a group that may ultimately decide the outcome of the election.
