Vice President Kamala Harris faces an uphill battle in her bid for the presidency, according to recent polling data analyzed by NBC News. Despite hopes among some Democrats that she would provide an immediate boost to the party’s chances, early numbers suggest Harris may struggle to outperform President Joe Biden against potential rivals.
Steve Kornacki, NBC News national political correspondent, examined polling averages following Biden’s surprise withdrawal from the 2024 race. His analysis shows Harris at 46% in hypothetical matchups, only a single percentage point higher than Biden’s 45%.
“The Democratic number, on average, goes up from 45 [percent] to 46. I think it underscores for Democrats — they view this move as something that’s going to improve their chances in the general election. That is based more on hope than it is on the numbers right now,” Kornacki explained.
Favorability ratings present another challenge for the Harris campaign. The vice president currently holds a 38% favorable and 52% unfavorable rating among voters, a slight improvement over Biden’s 36% favorable and 57% unfavorable figures.
Kornacki cautioned that Harris remains largely untested on the national stage, having dropped out of the 2020 presidential race before any primary votes were cast. This lack of experience in high-profile campaign settings adds uncertainty to projections about her potential performance.
As Harris takes the reins of the Democratic ticket, she faces the dual challenge of unifying the party and appealing to a broader electorate. With the election just months away, her campaign must work quickly to reshape voter perceptions and build momentum.
The vice president’s ability to overcome these initial polling hurdles will be closely watched as she embarks on her historic bid to become the first woman and person of color to win the presidency.
