According to a recent poll by The New York Times and Siena College, conducted from August 5 to August 9, it was discovered that in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, there is increasing support for Vice President Kamala Harris among white voters without a college degree. This particular group, which has traditionally leaned towards the Republican party, is now showing a shift in their preferences.
According to Enten, for Kamala Harris to secure a victory, she needs to achieve impressive numbers like the ones she demonstrated in the debate. Despite concerns that Harris may struggle to connect with white, non-college-educated voters, it is evident that she can indeed make a significant impact in this demographic. Hence, Biden’s decision to continue his campaign is justified.
Newsweek reached out to the Trump campaign for comment through email.
According to a recent poll of 1,973 likely voters, it is evident that the Democratic candidate is gaining more trust from white, non-college-educated voters when it comes to the economy. The survey revealed that 38 percent of this demographic believes Harris would do a better job on the economy than Trump.
According to the polls conducted in May, 26 percent of respondents believed that Biden would perform better. On the other hand, Trump’s ratings were higher in both polls, but he experienced a 9-point decline. Specifically, in the May poll, 69 percent of white, non-college-educated voters expressed their confidence in the Republican candidate’s ability to handle the economy. However, by August, this number had dropped to 60 percent.
In the 2016 election, white, non-college-educated voters played a crucial role in securing Trump’s victory. Historically, this demographic has leaned towards the Republican party, with Trump winning their support by a significant margin of 64 percent compared to Hillary Clinton’s 28 percent.
According to the Pew Research Center, there was a slight shift among white, non-college-educated voters towards the Democrats in 2020. The research reveals that 33 percent of these voters chose Biden, while 65 percent voted for Trump.
Experts believe that Harris’s selection of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her vice presidential nominee could help her appeal to white working-class rural voters, especially in the crucial “blue wall” states of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. Although white working-class voters typically lean towards the Republican Party, Walz’s presence on the ticket might sway some of them towards Harris and the Democratic party.
In a recent article for the Los Angeles Times, journalist Noah Bierman highlighted the perception of Governor Tim Walz as a unifying figure for white working-class voters who have shifted their support towards President Trump. As a former teacher, football coach, and National Guard member, Walz has successfully established himself as a bridge connecting these voters to the Democratic Party.
