Vice President and now Democratic Presidential nominee Kamala Harris accepted the presidential nomination this week, setting the stage for an intense race until election day on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
Polling shows the two candidates are nearly tied less than three months from Election Day, though for many states early voting is just around the corner.
That leaves little time for candidates to make their mark, though the Sept. 10 debate hosted by ABC News could be a defining moment. Trump has called for more debates, but so far none are scheduled.
The DNC this week cemented Harris’ hold on the Democratic party, as former President Barack Obama, still the figurehead of the party in many ways, threw his weight behind Harris. His wife, Michelle, did the same, which was notable since she was once seen as a threat to Harris’ campaign if she ever decided to run.
Biden spoke at the convention as well, along with former President Bill Clinton and an array of party leaders like Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who was also seen as a potential presidential contender. These endorsements along with Harris’ bump in fundraising and a largely well-received speech Thursday night propel her into the rest of the race with real momentum.
Harris laid out few policy details in her speech, confirming a key criticism against her that she has said little about what a Harris administration would actually do, though she offered many details in her critique of Trump’s proposals.
In her speech Thursday, Harris blasted Trump for his felony convictions and role in Jan. 6, reiterating Democratic talking points.
Trump has attacked Harris as far-left, blasting her recent “price control” plan as communism, labeling her “Comrade Kamala.”
Real Clear Politics’ polling average shows Harris with a 2-point lead nationally, up 46.4% to 44.4%. That margin marks a reversal of fate for the Democratic Party, which saw its previous candidate, incumbent President Joe Biden, trailing Trump nationally by about 3 points and losing handily in swing states.
Notably, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. holds 5% support in such a close race, his endorsement could easily push a swing state in one direction or the other. Kennedy recently left the Democratic party to become an independent.
Trump still fares better in key swing states than Harris.
Trump leads Harris by 0.2% in Pennsylvania and Arizona, by 1% in Georgia, by 1.4% in Nevada, and 0.9% in North Carolina, according to RCP.
Harris leads Trump by 2% in Michigan and 1% in Wisconsin.
