Most Americans say Harris is modifying her liberal views to try and win an election and expect her to govern as a liberal if she is elected president.
WHY IT MATTERS
Character issues are central to presidential contests. The data suggest Harris has an authenticity problem and has not convinced voters that she means what she says. Additionally, she is seen as more liberal than most Americans.
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Most Say Harris is Flip-Flopping to Win an Election
- Survey participants were given a list of positions Harris held in 2019 when running for the Democratic nomination that she or her campaign has since disavowed.
- 52% believe the reason for these changes is that Harris is flip-flopping to win an election rather than having an honest change of opinion. This includes 87% of Republicans, 17% of Democrats, and 51% of swing voters.
- 56% of men and 49% of women (a plurality) say Harris is flip-flopping, as well as a plurality or majority of Asians, Hispanics, and White voters.
- A majority of Millennial, Gen X, and Boomer voters say Harris is flip-flopping to win an election, while a plurality of Gen Z say Harris has had an honest change of opinion.
- 66% of New Majority voters say Harris is flip-flopping to win an election, including 47% (a plurality) of undecided New Majority voters.
- 70% of New Majority voters who plan on voting for a Democrat for Congress say Harris has had an honest change of opinion, mirroring the 72% of Left Minority voters who say the same.
Republicans and Democrats Agree a Harris Presidency Would Be Liberal
- 61% say it is likely Harris would try to enact liberal, progressive policies like single-payer health care, mandatory semiautomatic rifle buybacks, decriminalizing illegal border crossings, and a ban on fracking.
- This includes 81% of Republicans, 48% of Democrats (a plurality) and 55% of swing voters.
- Gen Z voters, who tend to be more liberal, are the most likely to believe a Harris presidency will be liberal. 68% of Gen Z voters expect Harris to try and enact liberal policies if elected, compared to 61% of Millennials, 57% of Gen X, and 60% of Boomers.
- 67% of New Majority voters say Harris would try to enact liberal policies if elected, including a majority or plurality of all New Majority voter subgroups.
- 48% (a plurality) of Left Minority voters say it is unlikely Harris would try to enact liberal policies.
Nearly 6-in-10 Agree: Harris Can’t Be Trusted
- Survey participants were asked if they agreed with the following messaging statement: “Kamala Harris is a flip-flopping opportunist who can and will change on almost anything when politically convenient. Even if what she’s saying is popular, she can’t be trusted to hold to it once she’s in office.”
- 58% of voters agree, including, 90% of Republicans, 24% of Democrats, and 57% of swing voters. A majority or plurality of all voter demographics agree with the statement, except for black voters, who disagreed 48%-41%.
- 72% of New Majority voters agreed with the statement while just 17% of Left Minority voters agreed.