Electoral Dynamics: Kamala Harris's debate performance garnered praise but didn't change national poll standings. However, she's leading in Pennsylvania, indicating a complex electoral landscape as the race tightens in the final weeks.
As the presidential race heats up, recent polls show a competitive landscape, particularly highlighting Kamala Harris's performance in a key debate. Despite strong viewer feedback regarding her debate performance, it hasn't translated into improved poll numbers nationally. However, in Pennsylvania, Harris is showing stronger support with a 50 to 46 lead. This reflects the polarized nature of the current political climate, where established voter preferences remain solid even amid shifts in debate dynamics. The close race indicates that many voters have already made their choices, with little movement expected leading into the election. The findings emphasize the importance of key battleground states like Pennsylvania, which could play a crucial role in determining the election outcome, despite current national standings remaining tight. Overall, shifts in voter sentiment may be minimal even as candidates campaign vigorously in the final weeks of the race.
Harris vs. Trump: Kamala Harris has slightly improved in Pennsylvania polls, but many see her as similar to past leaders, unlike Trump, who is perceived as changed. This reflects a tight race with both candidates having distinct vulnerabilities as the election approaches.
Kamala Harris is performing slightly better in Pennsylvania than nationally, despite recent positive media and approval ratings. However, she still faces challenges as many voters see her as similar to past leaders. In contrast, Trump, despite having a tough time lately, is viewed by voters as having changed. This complexity indicates that while Harris has gained momentum, she still has to work hard to convince voters that she represents a new direction. The polls show tight competition, suggesting that both candidates have vulnerabilities that could affect the upcoming election results. Harris' recent successes might not lead to a significant advantage if voters remain skeptical about her message and presence in comparison to Trump, who occupies an adverse narrative but still resonates with some voters.
Voter Dynamics: Kamala Harris is popular among white college graduates but struggles with working-class voters. The Fed's interest rate cuts could help the economy, but the Teamsters' lack of endorsement harms Harris while benefiting Trump’s narrative among working-class voters.
Kamala Harris is gaining support from white college graduates but struggles with white working-class voters, similar to Joe Biden. Recently, the Fed cut interest rates, which could help improve economic perceptions over time. However, a major union, the Teamsters, has chosen not to endorse either candidate, leaving Harris at a disadvantage, while giving Trump an opportunity to claim support from working-class members. This could impact voter sentiments in crucial states like Pennsylvania, where poor economic views persist. Despite efforts to improve public perception, voters may take time to change their views, making it tough for Harris to leverage a positive economy as a campaign advantage.
Voter Shift: Union members' support for Trump is growing, reflecting a shift in voting patterns. This change coincides with recent violent threats against Trump, affecting his response and behavior at rallies, revealing the complex emotions surrounding politics today.
Voting patterns among union members, particularly those of the Teamsters, are shifting, with many members leaning more towards Trump rather than traditional Democratic support. This change reflects a broader trend where white working-class voters are less aligned with Democrats since Harris's nomination. Moreover, recent violent attempts against Trump have affected him personally; at first, he appeared shocked, but quickly resumed his usual activities, indicating a complex emotional response. Trump's interactions at rallies suggest he is still processing the situation, although it quickly became material for his narratives. This unprecedented political climate, marked by both changing voter affiliations and increasing political violence, is creating a significant impact on the electoral landscape and the attitudes of both candidates and voters.
Military Tensions: Israeli military actions led to 37 deaths, prompting Lebanon to control electronics for safety. Meanwhile, a podcast featured author Sally Rooney discussing her new novel and the nature of life.
Israeli fighter jets recently flew over, causing sonic booms and flares as part of a military display. This act was linked to attacks that resulted in the deaths of 37 people, primarily from targeted strikes on communication devices. In response to this escalating violence, the Lebanese army has begun a campaign to control the use of electronic devices nationwide to help reduce casualties. Alongside this serious news, a podcast episode featured a conversation with Irish author Sally Rooney discussing her new novel, where she reflects on the singular nature of life and how writing gives her a way to explore different lives and perspectives. The episode is part of a series that delivers insightful stories and interviews.
Six Weeks to Go
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Recent Episodes from The Daily
How NAFTA Broke American Politics
On the campaign trail, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris are constantly talking about trade, tariffs and domestic manufacturing.
In many ways, these talking points stem from a single trade deal that transformed the U.S. economy and remade both parties’ relationship with the working class.
Dan Kaufman, a contributing writer for The New York Times Magazine, explains how the North American Free Trade Agreement broke American politics.
Guest: Dan Kaufman, the author of “The Fall of Wisconsin,” and a contributing writer for The New York Times Magazine.
Background reading:
- How NAFTA broke American politics.
- Both Democrats and Republicans are expressing support for tariffs to protect American industry, reversing decades of trade thinking in Washington.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Soon, you’ll need a subscription to keep full access to this show, and to other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.
The Year Since Oct. 7
Warning: this episode contains descriptions of war and trauma.
One year ago, Israel suffered the worst terrorist attack in its history. The conflict that followed has become bigger and deadlier by the day, killing tens of thousands of people and expanding from Gaza to Yemen, Lebanon and now Iran.
Today, we return to two men in Israel and Gaza, to hear how their lives have changed.
Guests: Golan Abitbul, a resident of Kibbutz Be’eri, in southern Israel; and Hussein Owda, who was among more than a million people sheltering in Rafah.
Background reading:
- How Oct. 7 sparked a year of conflict.
- Listen to the first interview with Golan.
- Listen to the first interview with Hussein.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Soon, you’ll need a subscription to keep full access to this show, and to other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.
The Sunday Read: ‘The Blind Side’ Made Him Famous. But He Has a Different Story to Tell.
It was an overcast Monday afternoon in late April, and Michael Oher, the former football player whose high school years were dramatized in the movie “The Blind Side,” was driving Michael Sokolove on a tour through a forlorn-looking stretch of Memphis and past some of the landmarks of his childhood.
In the movie, Oher moves into the home of the wealthy white couple Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy. They take him shopping for clothes, help him obtain a driver’s license, buy him a pickup truck and arrange for tutoring that helps improve his grades and makes him eligible to play college football. In real life, Oher went on to play eight seasons as a starting offensive tackle in the N.F.L. and won a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens.
Now, Oher is suing the Tuohys, claiming that they have exploited him by using his name, image and likeness to promote speaking engagements that have earned them roughly $8 million over the last two decades — and by repeatedly saying that they adopted him when they never did.
Soon, you’ll need a subscription to keep full access to this show, and to other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.
'The Interview': Al Pacino Is Still Going Big
Four Weeks to Go
With Election Day fast approaching, polls show the race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald J. Trump to be the closest in a generation.
The Times journalists Michael Barbaro, Shane Goldmacher, Maggie Haberman and Nate Cohn break down the state of the race and discuss the last-minute strategies that might tip the scales.
Guest:
- Shane Goldmacher, a national political correspondent for The New York Times.
- Maggie Haberman, a senior political correspondent for The New York Times.
- Nate Cohn, the chief political analyst for The New York Times.
Background reading:
- The state of the race: a calm week and perhaps the clearest picture yet.
- Scenes of workers on strike, hurricane devastation in the Southeast and missiles over Israel pose tests for Ms. Harris.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Soon, you’ll need a subscription to keep full access to this show, and to other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.
Iran Retaliates
Israel’s series of military successes against its longtime adversary Hezbollah had raised the question of whether the militant group’s backer, Iran, would retaliate. On Tuesday, that question was answered, when Iran fired a barrage of missiles at Israel.
Patrick Kingsley, the Jerusalem bureau chief for The Times, and Farnaz Fassihi, The Times’s United Nations bureau chief, discuss how they see events developing from here.
Guest:
- Patrick Kingsley, the Jerusalem bureau chief for The New York Times.
- Farnaz Fassihi, the United Nations bureau chief for The New York Times.
Background reading:
- Fiery balls of light could be seen falling from the sky over Jerusalem and loud explosions could be heard in Tel Aviv and other areas as Iran launched 180 ballistic missiles at Israel.
- After the missile attack, Israel may be more prepared to risk war with Iran.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Soon, you’ll need a subscription to keep full access to this show, and to other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.
The Walz-Vance Debate: Civility and Then a Clash
Just three weeks after Kamala Harris and Donald J. Trump engaged in a fiery and often hostile presidential debate, their running mates, Tim Walz and JD Vance, met for their own face-off — and struck a very different chord.
Reid J. Epstein, a politics reporter for The Times, explains why this debate was so different and what it could mean for the race.
Guest: Reid J. Epstein, a politics reporter for The New York Times.
Background reading:
- Read coverage of the debate.
- Analysis: Mr. Vance strained to sell a softer image of Mr. Trump.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Soon, you’ll need a subscription to keep full access to this show, and to other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.
Hurricane Helene’s 600 Miles of Destruction
Warning: This episode contains strong language and descriptions of death.
Over the past few days, Hurricane Helene has left a trail of devastation, killing more than 100 people, driving thousands from their homes and leaving millions without power.
Judson Jones, a meteorologist and weather reporter for The Times, and Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs, a Times national reporter, discuss the toll left by the deadly storm.
Guest:
- Judson Jones, a meteorologist and reporter for The New York Times.
- Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs, a national reporter for The New York Times.
Background reading:
- Hurricane Helene spawned flash floods and landslides as it barreled north after devastating parts of Florida’s Gulf Coast.
- In less than a day, Helene transformed from a Category 1 hurricane to a Category 4. Read about how that happened so quickly.
For more information on today’s episode, visit
. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Soon, you’ll need a subscription to keep full access to this show, and to other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.
Alliance vs. Isolation: Harris and Trump’s Competing Views on Foreign Policy
As wars in Ukraine and the Middle East deepen, the U.S. presidential campaign is raising a crucial question: Whose idea of American foreign policy will the world get next?
Peter Baker, the chief White House correspondent for The Times, walks us through the plans put forward by Kamala Harris and by Donald J. Trump.
Guest: Peter Baker, the chief White House correspondent for The New York Times.
Background reading:
- Ms. Harris met with Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, signaling that the White House was preparing her to take over a thorny diplomatic relationship.
- Mr. Zelensky also met with Mr. Trump as concerns mount in Kyiv that a second Trump administration could spell the end of American support against Russia.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Soon, you’ll need a subscription to keep full access to this show, and to other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.
The Deserter: Parts 4 and 5
In “The Deserter,” Sarah A. Topol reports the story of Ivan, a captain in the Russian Army who fought in Ukraine and then ultimately fled the war and his country with his wife, Anna. Topol spoke to 18 deserters while reporting in eight countries across four continents over the last year and a half; their experiences helped paint a vivid picture of the Russian war operation and its corruption, chaos and brutality.
Narrated by Liev Schreiber.
“The Deserter” is a five-part special series in collaboration with The New York Times Magazine.
All five parts of this audio feature can be found here or by searching for “The Deserter” on the NYT Audio app or wherever you get your podcasts.
The text version of the story can be found here.
Soon, you’ll need a subscription to keep full access to this show, and to other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.