Despite the Harris campaign’s optimistic claims, a post-debate Reuters poll revealed that her performance failed to significantly influence undecided voters. In fact, a number of those surveyed leaned toward supporting Trump after Tuesday’s landmark debate.
Reuters spoke with ten individuals who were unsure about their vote in the upcoming Nov. 5 election before the debate. Following the event, six leaned toward Trump or expressed intentions to back him, while three leaned toward Harris. One voter remained uncertain.
With Harris and Trump locked in a competitive race, the election outcome may be determined by a small margin in key swing states, with undecided voters like those interviewed potentially tipping the balance.
Although the survey was limited, it suggested that Harris may need to articulate her policy positions more clearly to win over undecided voters. Five respondents indicated that Harris’s plans to address the U.S. economy and the rising cost of living lacked clarity—issues that weigh heavily on voters’ minds.
This debate was crucial for Harris, as a New York Times/Siena College poll revealed that more than a quarter of likely voters feel they still don’t know enough about her, compared to Trump, whose policies and persona are well-known.
Many of those shifting to Trump said they trusted him more on economic matters, despite their personal dislike for him. They also referenced their improved financial circumstances during his presidency. Some noted his plan to impose tariffs on foreign goods, despite concerns from economists about the potential inflationary effects.
Four of the six Trump-leaning voters expressed doubts that Harris would implement policies significantly different from those of President Joe Biden, whom they blame for rising living costs.
Mark Kadish, a 61-year-old entrepreneur from Florida, said, “She didn’t really present clear details about what she stands for.”
Among the ten voters surveyed, four were women and six were men, with a racial breakdown of eight white and two Black participants. All had previously voted for both Democratic and Republican candidates.
Harris did present a few policy initiatives, including tax benefits for families and small businesses. However, much of her debate time was spent criticizing Trump rather than detailing her own proposals.
Robert Wheeler, a 48-year-old security firm executive from Nevada, initially leaning toward Harris, stated that after the debate, he was now inclined to vote for Trump. He felt Harris lacked clarity on her economic policies.
“I walked away feeling like Harris was more focused on criticizing Trump than on explaining why she’s the better choice,” Wheeler said.
On the other hand, Meredith Marshall, a self-employed Los Angeles resident, decided to support Harris. Although she had hoped to hear more about the economy, she appreciated Harris’s proposals to support small business owners.
