Special Poll
Democrats Frustrated with Poll Results: Democrats are expressing frustration over a recent poll showing more voters view former President Trump as the more moderate candidate compared to Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming election.
Democratic Messaging Not Sticking: For years, Democrats have portrayed Trump as an extremist who threatens democracy, but the poll by The New York Times and Siena College suggests GOP attacks on Harris have been more effective, painting her as too liberal, while efforts to label Trump as an extremist haven’t resonated as strongly.
Strategist Insights: Democratic strategist Rodell Mollineau pointed out that Trump’s lack of core values allows him to shift his stance depending on the crowd, making it easier for some voters to see him as moderate. Mollineau stressed the need for Democrats to improve their messaging to counter this perception.
Poll Numbers: The poll found that only 32 percent of likely voters think Trump is “too conservative,” while 49 percent view him as “not too far either way.” On the other hand, 47 percent of voters think Harris is “too liberal,” creating concern among Democrats.
Harris’s Centrist Shift Not Noticed: Harris has tried to adopt more centrist policies since becoming the vice-presidential nominee, particularly on issues like taxes and fracking. However, the poll suggests these efforts haven’t fully shifted public perception.
Voters’ Short Memories: Democratic strategist Nayyera Haq noted that some voters seem to have forgotten the erratic behavior and risky decisions Trump made while in office, despite his presidency being marked by moments like suggesting bleach injections to treat COVID-19.
Past Liberal Positions Stick with Harris: Harris’s 2020 presidential run, where she adopted liberal positions to compete with candidates like Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, has left her vulnerable to attacks from Trump and the GOP, despite her more recent moderate approach.
Targeting Moderate Voters: Recently, the Harris campaign has aimed to attract independents and moderate Republicans with policies like a more modest capital gains tax and endorsements from figures like Liz Cheney. Efforts at the Democratic National Convention also featured moderate voices to reach out to centrist voters.
Democratic Concerns: Some Democrats worry that Trump has successfully distanced himself from hardline conservative positions, especially after distancing himself from cutting Social Security and Medicare, and his shifting stance on abortion in the GOP debates.
Trump’s History of Mixed Views: This isn’t new for Trump. Back in 2016, Pew Research found that voters viewed him as a mix of liberal and conservative on various issues, while Hillary Clinton was seen as more consistently liberal, a pattern now repeating with Harris.