"Puzzling" - September Harvard Harris Poll Debrief with Mark Penn and Julia Manchester

Harvard Harris Poll Debrief with Mark Penn and Bob Cusack

Harris Poll Chairman / Stagwell Chairman & CEO MARK PENN and The Hill's JULIA MANCHESTER discuss the latest Harvard-Harris Poll, conducted September 7-8 among 1,885 registered voters. VIDEO - KEY RESULTS - CROSSTABS - TOPLINE - LINKEDIN - FACEBOOK - INSTAGRAM - TWITTER
PUZZLING - The midterms remain nearly a dead heat even though President Joe Biden's approval rating is still underwater at 41%. Inflation remains the biggest concern for voters, over half of whom say the Inflation Reduction Act is more likely to increase rather than decrease inflation. While student debt relief is having little net effect on Democrats’ outlook, the overturn of Roe v. Wade is increasing likelihood to vote Democratic.

Results also show the FBI's raid of Donald Trump's residence has not hurt the standing of the former president, whom voters would still pick in a presidential election over Joe Biden if the 2024 election were held today. Americans are evenly split on whether the raid was politically motivated, but a clear majority, 58%, think appointing a special master to review the documents taken by the Department of Justice is reasonable.

DEMOCRATS HOLD THE DAM AS INFLATION REMAINS TOP CONCERN

• Biden's approval has ticked up slightly to 41% as voter sentiment on his administration's handling of inflation and unemployment improves.
• The generic Congressional ballot remains tight, 51-49 in favor of the Democrats.
• Inflation remains the biggest concern for both Democrats and Republicans, followed by abortion rights for Democrats and immigration for Republicans.

BIDEN'S SPEECH ON MAGA REPUBLICANS IS UNPOPULAR AS AMERICANS WORRY ABOUT DIVIDING THE COUNTRY

• Biden's September 1 speech in Philadelphia, in which he called Trump and MAGA Republicans a threat to the country, is viewed as divisive: 56% of voters, including 62% of Independents, opposed it.
• Biden's approval has ticked up slightly to 41% as voter sentiment on his administration's handling of inflation and unemployment improve.
• More Americans are concerned about the socialist left rather than MAGA Republicans gaining power, 55-45.

AMERICANS WANT TO INVESTIGATE THE HUNTER BIDEN LAPTOP STORY

• The Hunter Biden laptop story is not going away: 59% of Americans think the laptop story is genuine, not Russian disinformation. 63% of voters think the FBI helped suppress the story by telling tech companies it could be Russian disinformation.
• 63% of voters think the DOJ should appoint a special prosecutor to investigate the Biden laptop.

BIDEN'S STUDENT LOAN RELIEF DOES NOT AFFECT MANY AMERICANS OR MAKE THEM WANT TO VOTE DEMOCRATIC

• Americans are evenly split on Biden's cancellation of up to $20,000 of debt for couples making up to $250,000.
• Only 17% of Americans say they will be personally helped by the program.
• Voters are skeptical of Biden's method: 56% think it was wrong of Biden to act without Congress, and 52% think his executive order will ultimately be deemed unconstitutional.