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The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee is showing signs of momentum in the days since President Biden decided not to run for a second term.

But strong fundraising, a well-attended rally, and endorsements from virtually every major Democrat not named Barack Obama haven’t translated to faith among the general public that Kamala Harris can win — at least not yet.

In a poll of 1,605 people (1,435 of whom are registered voters) YouGov conducted between July 21 and 23 — a period that encompasses Biden’s announcement not to run and the quick coalescence of Democratic elites around Harris — only 31% think the vice president has what it takes to earn a promotion this year.


  The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee is showing signs of momentum in the days since President Biden decided not to run for a second term. Christine Tannous/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee is showing signs of momentum in the days since President Biden decided not to run for a second term. Christine Tannous/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

And there’s no gender gap in pessimism about Harris’ prospects — that 31% applies to both males and females.

Conversely, 52% of respondents see Trump as the likely winner. 

Democrats, predictably, give Harris whatever boost she can claim in this metric, with 67% of people in her own party saying the veep will win, another 14% predicting a Trump victory and the rest unsure.

GOP registrants are much more sold on their candidate’s viability.


  Conversely, 52% of respondents see Trump as the likely winner. Shutterstock Conversely, 52% of respondents see Trump as the likely winner. Shutterstock

Just 3% of Republicans surveyed expect Harris to win, while 91% think the race in November is Trump’s to lose.

Independents also seem to think Trump is inevitable, with 53% of unaligned voters believing he’ll emerge victorious, versus just 23% of indys who believe Harris will win.

One significant cohort believes Harris has what it takes, though — and they just happen to be, historically, the key to Democratic chances in national elections.


  When asked about “presidential vote intent,” 41% of those polled back Harris. AFP via Getty Images When asked about “presidential vote intent,” 41% of those polled back Harris. AFP via Getty Images

  GOP registrants are much more sold on their candidate’s viability. Shutterstock GOP registrants are much more sold on their candidate’s viability. Shutterstock

Forty-five percent of black respondents believe Harris will win, while just 33% predict a Trump triumph. 

While voters may not believe Harris can win, it doesn’t mean they aren’t supporting her.

When asked about “presidential vote intent,” 41% of those polled back Harris — putting her just 3 points behind Trump, well inside the +/- 3.3% margin of error and tracking with polls from NPR and Marist that likewise show a race that is too close to call. 

When it comes down to the other 15% in the YouGov survey, a third of them aren’t sure who they back, a third back Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and the rest are dispersed among a smattering of marginal candidates.

Trump has effectively consolidated Republican respondents in this survey, taking 92% of them, with 3% backing Kennedy and 2% backing Harris.


  When it comes down to the other 15% in the YouGov survey, a third of them aren’t sure who they back and a third back Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Newsnation When it comes down to the other 15% in the YouGov survey, a third of them aren’t sure who they back and a third back Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Newsnation

Democrats are still more diffused for the time being.

While Harris has a respectable 86% support level in her own party, 5% aren’t sure who they back, while Kennedy takes 3% and Trump takes 2% of Dems.

Independents are still up for grabs, but YouGov’s sample says Trump holds serve — taking 37% of them to Harris’ 32%. Of the remainder, 11% support Kennedy and 9% are still undecided.

Harris has majority support among black voters (63% to 14% for Trump), Hispanics (44% to 40%) and — in a potentially important metric that could swing battleground states — self-described “moderates,” with a 41% to 31% lead over Trump. 

As Democrats might hope, a gender gap is also emerging in the preference poll.


  While Harris has a respectable 86% support level in her own party, 5% are not sure who they back. AP While Harris has a respectable 86% support level in her own party, 5% are not sure who they back. AP

Harris leads narrowly with women, 43% to 41%, with 7% of respondents up for grabs, Kennedy at 6% and minor candidates divvying up the remainder.

Male voters back Trump — but not by a majority. The former president is 8 points up on Harris (47% to 39%), with Kennedy at 5%. An additional 3% are not sure, and the remainder say they prefer other candidates.

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