A recent YouGov poll released on August 24, 2024, Vice President Kamala Harris has emerged as a leading figure in several personal traits when compared to President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. This survey, as reported by The Hill, delved into non-political characteristics to understand voters’ perceptions of these prominent political figures beyond their policies.
Harris outperformed her counterparts in various personal categories, demonstrating her appeal as a relatable and personable candidate. For instance, when asked who would likely win a cooking competition, 50% of respondents chose Harris, with only 10% believing Trump would take the title. Harris’s known enthusiasm for food likely played a role in this outcome.
The poll also highlighted Harris’s advantage in a hypothetical dance-off, where 50% believed she would outperform Trump, who garnered only 14% support. This is not surprising given the viral videos of Harris dancing that have circulated since her ascension to the Democratic ticket after President Biden stepped down from the race.
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Beyond entertainment, the survey indicated that voters trust Harris more in roles such as a babysitter, with many considering her more trustworthy in this role than Trump. Additionally, she was perceived as having a better fashion sense, being more likely to help a stranger, and remembering people’s birthdays—traits that, while not directly tied to political skill, contribute to a favorable public image.
Harris was also rated higher in giving parenting advice, likely due to her role as a stepmother to Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff’s adult children. In contrast, Trump, who has five children from three marriages, did not fare as well in this category.
On the campaign trail, Harris’s personable nature has been evident, such as when she engaged in light-hearted banter about spice tolerance with her running mate, Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota. The survey reflected this, with respondents believing Harris would handle spicy food better than Trump, further solidifying her relatable image.
However, the survey wasn’t entirely in Harris’s favor. Trump managed to surpass her in a few areas, particularly those aligned with traditional masculine stereotypes. He was seen as more likely to win an arm-wrestling competition and a game of poker. Trump also outranked Harris in areas like giving financial advice and imitating celebrity voices, suggesting his public persona still resonates in contexts that emphasize strength and entertainment.
An earlier survey conducted in June provided insights into how voters perceive Biden relative to Trump, with Biden seen as more personable and kinder, traits that align with a softer, more empathetic image.
The recent YouGov survey, conducted from August 16 to 19, 2024, included responses from 1,143 adults and has a margin of error of 4 percentage points. Although it focused on non-political traits, the results underscore how personal characteristics can influence public perception, particularly in an election year where every aspect of a candidate’s image is under scrutiny.
As the 2024 election progresses, these personal traits could significantly shape the narrative surrounding Harris’s candidacy. While she has gained an edge in areas that emphasize warmth and relatability, Trump maintains his standing in domains associated with toughness and financial acumen. The mixed results reflect the diverse criteria voters use to evaluate their leaders, indicating that the final outcome at the polls may be influenced as much by personality as by policy.
