By Hank Russell
A new national poll has former president Donald Trump ahead of Vice President Kamala Harris by only two percentage points ahead of the September 10 debate.
Based on the responses of 1,695 registered voters taken between September 3-6, the New York Times/Siena College Research Institute poll found 48% preferred Trump, while 46% supported Harris.
The poll also found, when third-party candidates are included in the mix, Trump still maintains a two-percentage-point lead over Harris, 46%-44%, including those leaning towards the other candidates besides Harris or Trump. Green Party candidate Jill Stein and Libertarian Party candidate Chase Oliver received 2% each, while two other third-party candidates — Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Cornel West — only got 0.5%.
Among voters who aren’t leaning towards other candidates, Trump still leads, 44-42%. All the aforementioned third-party candidates received the same percentages.
The pollsters also asked registered voters about their political affiliation. Of the 1,374 voters, 31% considered themselves to be Republicans, 29% were affiliated with the Democratic party and 32% said they were independents. Of the 557 independent voters, 40% leaned toward the GOP and 40% said they leaned Democrat.
Combining those who identify with one party and those who lean toward one party, Republicans have the edge, 47%-45%. However, if those who were voting for a third party were asked which candidate would they prefer, it was 21% for Trump and 21% for Harris.
When polling likely voters, Trump is up 48%-47%. When third-party candidates are added, 47% of likely voters chose Trump, compared to 45% for Harris. Chase Oliver (Libertarian) got 2%, followed by Jill Stein (Green Party, 1%) and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Cornel West (0.5% each).
When asked about their political affiliation, the poll found that 34% of likely voters identify as Republican, 31% as Democrat and 29% as independent. Of the likely independent voters, 41% lean Republican and 41% lean Democrat. Among leaners and those who identify with a political party, 48% of likely voters would vote Republican and 45% Democrat.
Among Trump supporters, the top issues were the economy and immigration, according to the poll. Harris supporters named abortion and protecting democracy as their top issues. In addition, registered voters said Trump would be better for the economy, while Harris is the stronger candidate when it comes to reproductive rights.