The authors believe there are two main reasons why Harris’s surge hasn't lasted. First, her polling numbers have plateaued “despite an impressive debate performance and more time to introduce herself to voters.”
Second, there’s little evidence that she has made inroads with independents or swing voters.
Analyzing the polling data, Schoen and Cooperman write that while Harris has helped Democrats “eliminate the enthusiasm gap” with Republicans, “this has not translated across the wider electorate.”
In other words, it appears that Harris’s polling gains reflect “the support of voters who would, in all likelihood, have voted for a Democrat regardless.”
“Declarations that Harris has a truly strong position vis-à-vis Trump are premature,” the authors conclude.
Read the op-ed at TheHill.com.
