Kamala Harris surges ahead in key battleground states, poll reveals

According to the latest Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll, Vice President Kamala Harris has an edge over Donald Trump in the race for the US presidency, leading 48% to 47%.

The poll was conducted online from 24 July to 28 July, following Joe Biden's decision not to run. Compared to the early July poll, where Trump led Biden by 2 percentage points and was leading in five of the seven so-called swing states, there has been a significant shift in favour of the Democratic candidate. Harris has an 11 percentage-point lead over Trump in Michigan and a 2-point lead in Nevada, Arizona, and Wisconsin. Trump leads her by 4 percentage points in Pennsylvania and 2 percentage points in North Carolina. Both gained equal support in Georgia.

This is a new beginning for the Democrats' campaign after Joe Biden stepped down, and Kamala Harris became the natural successor. If the Democrats skillfully use this and draw the lines of division, it could motivate pro-Democratic voters.

It concerns voters who oppose Donald Trump's recent statements.

He urged ‘dear Christians to vote for him so they wouldn't have to vote in any elections anymore.’ Such statements are perceived as a threat to democracy. Kamala Harris is a counterbalance to such anti-democratic rhetoric and a contrast to Trump. This causes her to give hope to those Democrats who have lost hope.

We might see a repeat of the Barack Obama effect from 2008.

A coalition involving pop culture stars, African-Americans, Latinos, and the youth might re-form. Some of these voters, Joe Biden, lost, and some simply lost motivation. If the Democrats can maintain this positive trend by choosing the right vice-presidential candidate, executing a good convention, and winning the debate against Trump, they have a chance to win in November.