Only about a third of Americans believe Vice President Kamala Harris would win the presidential election according to a new poll released Wednesday, illustrating Democratic fears about what would happen if President Joe Biden, 81, is unable to fulfill his duties to serve as president.
A Politico/Morning Consult poll shows that only 34 percent believe Harris would likely win an election for president if she were the candidate. Fifty-seven percent of voters think this is unlikely.
The number of undecideds includes 31 percent of Democrats and 62 percent of Independents.
The numbers indicate that Harris, Biden’s second-in-command, would struggle if she had to replace the president as the Democratic nominee.
US Vice President Kamala Harris with US President Joe Biden during a campaign rally
Harris also faces skepticism from voters about whether she would be a good president. Only 40 percent believe she would be a good president, while 51 percent do not. Nine percent did not know or had no opinion.
Fifty-one percent of independents believe she would not be a good president and even sixteen percent of Democrats doubt a successful Harris presidency.
Harris’ polling problems show that Biden may have picked the wrong Democrat as his vice president, as more than half of Americans don’t think she would make a good president.
But voters in the poll appear slightly more conflicted when asked whether Biden should replace Harris on the ticket.
Thirty-six percent of voters believe Biden should replace her with another Democrat, while 39 percent say Biden should not replace her. Twenty-six percent did not know or had no opinion.
US Vice President Kamala Harris introduces US President Joe Biden during a campaign
Harris continues to suffer from low approval ratings, currently at 42 percent, which is slightly higher than in previous polls. A Redfield & Wilton Strategies poll in May showed her with just a 37 percent approval rating.
Harris’ failed 2020 presidential campaign and her performance as vice president have left the country divided over her political skills.
Fifty-two percent of voters in the poll believe Harris is smart, 47 percent believe she is level-headed and 45 percent believe she is prepared. Only 44 percent described her as honest.
Despite her low poll numbers, Harris’ strong name identification with Democrats gives her a significant lead over other possible 2028 presidential candidates.
Among Democrats, 41 percent chose Harris as the hypothetical candidate in 2028. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg came in second with 15 percent, followed closely by California Governor Gavin Newsom with 14 percent.
US President Joe Biden with Vice President Kamala Harris after concluding his remarks at a campaign event
The rest of the potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidates remained in the single digits with Democrats. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan with 5 percent, Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona with 4 percent and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro with 2 percent.
Seventeen percent of Democrats didn’t know or had no opinion.
The Politico/Morning Consult poll surveyed 3,996 registered voters from May 28 to 29 and has a margin of error of 2 percentage points.