Report: Trump's lead over Kamala Harris on economic and crime issues is shrinking

In the areas of crime and corruption, Harris and Trump were tied with 40% approval each.

Washington:

Donald Trump's lead over Kamala Harris on the economy and crime is shrinking among U.S. voters, a sign that the Democratic vice president's campaign is gaining momentum ahead of the November 5 presidential election, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll.

The three-day poll, conducted August 23-25, showed that 43% of registered voters preferred former Republican President Trump's approach on economic and jobs issues, while 40% preferred Harris' approach. The 3 percentage point difference was too small to be significant because the poll's margin of error was 4 percentage points. An earlier Reuters/Ipsos poll in late July showed Trump with an 11-point lead on economic issues.

On crime and corruption, Harris and Trump were tied at 40% approval each, reflecting a stronger shift toward Harris, who was 5 percentage points behind Trump in the July poll.

Recent national polls have shown Harris building a small lead over Trump since she entered the race on July 21 after President Joe Biden decided to suspend his campaign. The Reuters/Ipsos poll from late July showed Harris up one percentage point, 43% to 42%.

It remains to be seen how independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s decision on Friday to suspend his campaign will affect the race. Kennedy, who had drawn the support of about 8% of voters in a July poll, later endorsed Trump.

Trump has frequently criticized the Biden administration's economic management in his campaign speeches, as households are still suffering the effects of several years of high inflation. Harris has promised to bring prices under control, for example by cracking down on “price gouging” by grocery retailers.

The new poll found that 26 percent of registered voters cited the economy as their top issue, compared to 22 percent who cited political extremism and threats to democracy and 13 percent who cited immigration.

On the question of extremism, voters chose Harris with 42% and Trump with 36%. On immigration policy, Trump had an advantage: 45% of voters chose him, Harris with 37%.

Neither candidate enjoys general popularity. 59 percent of voters say they have a negative opinion of Trump and 52 percent say the same of Harris. Harris was viewed positively by 47 percent of voters, Trump by 39 percent.

The survey collected online responses from 1,028 adults across the country, including 902 registered voters.

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